John 20:1-31, The Grace of the Risen Savior

John testifies of Jesus’ resurrection with three evidences of the empty tomb, His graveclothes, and His post-resurrection appearances. Jesus rose from the dead. The witnesses sealed their testimony with their own lives. What did Jesus convey to His people upon His resurrection? Not disappointment, displeasure, or condemnation for those who failed Him, but grace, pure, undeserved grace. He did this because He paid for their sins and He earned their peace with God through the cross. What’s more? He shares life with those who are one with Him. He invites them into a vital connection with their heavenly Father that they, too, might taste of the kindness of the Lord and their souls be satisfied with God.

Revelation 19:6-21, The Two Suppers

Jesus’ return is marked by two suppers, one a celebration of the marriage of the Lamb and the other the aftermath of the Armageddon. The bride of Christ prepares herself for her groom while the rest of the world prepares to war with Him. May the Lord grant us to grace to be at peace with God, not at war with Him. In the end, there are only two ends, the wedding feast or the judgment feast. May the grace of God lead us all to follow the Lamb wherever He goes.