The Last Sunday of the Church Year
Isaiah 51:4-6
Psalm 93
Jude 20-25
Mark 13:24-37
Believe it or not, sometimes pastors don’t always get to share everything they would like to in their sermons. There are always times they wish they could have added a thought or expounded upon something a bit more. ‘The After-Word’ is a place to hear more thoughts from pastor about the texts from the previous Sunday.
The Church Year
If you’ve never stopped to consider the Church year, take a moment to appreciate how the life of the Church has formed it and how it has formed the life of the Church. It took hundreds of years for the Church year in its current form to take shape. Even so, it is crafted so beautifully as each season flows into the next.
The transition that amazes me most is the Last Sunday of the Church Year into the First Sunday in Advent. These two come together flawlessly. One year seamlessly moves into the next. I like to visualize it as a circle, symbolic of eternity. It reminds me time and eternity are in His hands.
The Last Sunday
The Last Sunday especially focuses on this transition from time to eternity. It emphasizes that Jesus is the Lord over all. Therefore, His coming again marks the transition between the two. That transition will also be smooth and flawless.
On some days in the Church year, there are options for some of the readings. It just so happens that the Last Sunday has options for all three readings. We used the readings above. The other options included Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14. Daniel saw the Ancient of Days upon His throne and the one who was like the son of man presented before Him to be given dominion and glory and a kingdom. The Epistle option was Revelation 1:4b-8. Jesus says, “I am the Alpha and Omega, who is an who was and who is to some, the Almighty.” The Gospel was from John 18:33-37. Jesus spoke of His kingdom not being of the world.
The Last Sunday After-Word: Jesus Reigns
In my sermon, however, I decided to focus on what it meant for us to “stay awake,” as Jesus commanded of His disciples. However, the theme of Jesus being the King of Creation packs a punch. It is comforting to be reminded that as we face the world that is coming to and end, Jesus is in control.
Jude concludes his letter, “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and not and forever. Amen.”
Notice a connection with the Daniel option. One like a son of man was presented before the Ancient of Days to have dominion and glory and a kingdom. It is in turn this One, Jesus, who now presents us as blameless to the only God, the Ancient of Days! This is how Jesus chooses to use His dominion: to joyfully share His glory and make us to be His own people.
And you better believe that He is still using that same power to bring us to the Last Day. As heaven and earth pass away, we know that we have not been left alone. God is placing all things under Christ’s feet. Even now Jesus reigns over all creation. He is guiding all things forward to the Day of His return. You are not alone in your sorrow. You are not alone in your suffering. The same God who created and redeemed all things is Himself bringing you through.
He Is Near, At the Very Gates
I know at times it may not feel like Jesus is with you. At times, it may seem that He is so far away. Even so, Jesus gives us His promise that, “when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.” Let these words comfort you. Jesus is not in some far off place. He is so near to you His foot is lifted and ready to walk through the door, and His eyes are fixed on you.
So when you encounter suffering and sorrow in this present life, remember that Jesus is in control. He is guiding you all things to their final conclusion. Your suffering is only a reminder that all things are coming to an end. But He promises that when He comes again, the glory He will reveal to you and in you will far outweigh anything that you could suffer. And He will do it.
Amen.