By David Woods
Jesus’ stories during his earthly ministry intrigued his hearers about a new, coming kingdom. In his stories he revealed the kind of new world it would be. He wanted everyone to know about what he was preparing for those who loved and obeyed him.
Every conflict, sickness, plague, disability or deformity of life will cease when Jesus sits enthroned as ruler. No government will be required, no debates over issues (because there will be no issues!).
You may say, “You’ve got to be dreaming! There’s no such a place!” Jesus gave his earthly life for the reality of such a place for everyone who would trust and obey him.
One of the thought-provoking stories Jesus told is found in Luke 16:19-31. N.T. Wright depicts this story as “the strange tale of two dead people inhabiting different worlds… .” It is about a rich man and a poor man who die and end up in two different worlds. One world is a place of “torment,” and the other a place of “comfort.”
The Bible presents “Heaven” as the new world where Jesus rules as king and “Hell” as the destiny of everyone who will not believe and trust in Jesus. It is the place for the unrepentant and the nonbeliever to whom Jesus presented himself as Savior and coming King.
The truth is that most people throughout history have not believed this story. Some have redesigned or developed a whole different story that suits their own preferred end-of-their-earthly-life scenario.
The historical evidence, however, is very heavy on the Jesus side of the story! The impact and effect of a life lived with trust in Jesus’ teachings and obedience to these teachings is also strong evidence of the authenticity of Jesus’ story — reaping what you sow!
The empty tomb on the third day and the visible appearances of Jesus after his death on the cross are evidence that would stand in a court of law.
The evidence of the shakiness of this earth should awaken reasonable people to an awareness that there is a good and an evil supernatural force at work. Wars, rumors of war, pandemics and plagues, and the rise of destructive and evil philosophies align with the forecast Jesus gave in Matthew 24. The unapologetic attitude toward what the Bible labels as “sin” underlines the trends that Jesus forecast the world would pursue leading up to an ultimate destruction.
When I look into the reality of human despair and the teachings of Jesus, I must conclude that there has never been a more fitting and urgent time for hope!
David Woods is a teaching pastor at Park Chapel Christian Church in Greenfield. This weekly column is written by local clergy members.
