The Sun Rises and the Rain Falls

 

The Sun Rises and the Rain Falls

Jesus was teaching upon the mountain, in Matthew chapter 5 and he ended his message by saying: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’   But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; (pause) For God makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Jesus warned his followers, not to misinterpret terrible events thinking the people were being punished because they were wicked. - It was not so. The messengers were feeling proud and superior, thinking others (even believers) who suffer, must have secret sins.

Jesus began in Luke 13 to say to the people who had just brought a message to Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them–do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” For God makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

I am reminded of twin cities in the Old Testament, where there was a multitude of wicked persons; They were so evil that God decided to destroy the two cities with fire. Although some of the citizens may not have been quite so wicked, there was an immoral bent filling them; and their minds were warped toward evil. It so happened that Abraham's nephew and his family lived in that city but because of Abraham's intercession, God send two angels to take Lot, his wife and two daughters out to safety. There was no time to gather precious mementos, pack a suitcase and grab their Bible as they were hurried out with only the clothes on their backs.

The angels gave a stiff warning: Do NOT turn around and look back on all that is behind you. Only run and keep your eyes fixed on your future. Nothing behind you is worth keeping, so run for your life and pay close attention to my warning.

As they ran, all was fine until Lot's wife remembered all the fun and good times she had enjoyed with her friends as they drank and partied. "Oh this is so sad," she thought, "Oh that I could just remain here and live the good life," as she slowly turned her head and looked back.   In her heart she did not repent of the old ways, but was longing for the glitter of the things of this world. 

Bamm - - One of the balls of fire fell on Lot's wife and she was turned into a pillar of salt.

Was she any worse than the other's that perished? Probably not. But she did have a choice to save herself, and she chose to disobey the warning.

Today we have heard the warnings, to prepare their hearts because we do NOT know the day or the hour when Jesus may return. Today is the accepted time for each of us to turn from the old ways, to leave all the habits and lifestyles that were once dear to us and face a future with Jesus. As we pray over our city, may we claim that the hearts, minds and choices of our citizens will be facing forward - - looking straight at the face of Jesus; keeping eye contact and not turned backward in the other direction where there is destruction and loss.

 Keep yourselves from evil by focusing on Jesus and turn from anything that might be holding you back to your old ways. Today is a good day to serve Jesus and a good time to renew your commitment to follow Him all the days of your life.