How come the best things always have to end? (Luke 7:11–17)
Jesus has answers: They don’t.
Our existence is determined by time. Every moment of our lives are marked by the ticking clock that records the progression of time and marks the steps towards the end of whatever human endeavour we are involved in. Most humans living in developed, western and wealthy cultures resent that we can’t control all of our lives and that we can’t cheat the clock. We have technology, wealth and resources but the simple process of the ticking clock can’t be stopped. Sometimes we cheat it for short periods and there are even models and superstars that seem to defy time and the aging process but eventually it catches them. The last time any of us checked the mortality rate for humanity still stood at 100%.
The challenge is to look beyond the present and ask questions about what actually lasts, what goes on into the future, what will make a difference.
We know that the answer is not what we own, and as nice as our processions are they will eventually be outdated, lost or broken.
Jesus encouraged people to look beyond the present and into the future and suggested where we ought to invest our time and energy.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:19-21)
What will be free of moths, rust or thieves, only eternal treasures. What is it that makes it into eternality, not the material but the personal. This says that the only way to beat the ticking clock is to invest in the spiritual, to invest in people and make sure your investment is held by the only individual in human history that beat the clock and promised eternal security – Jesus.
Jesus said he came to give life and life in all its fullness. (John 10:10). He also said in
John 5:24 I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, he has crossed over from death to life.
Things in this life might die, but this life is not all there is. Eternity is a reality and without a relationship with Jesus we will not spend eternity in God’s presence.
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