City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

²² For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, ²³ that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

John 5:22-23 (ESV)

¹³ and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹⁴ The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, ¹⁵ his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. ¹⁶ In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, ¹⁸ and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 

Revelation 1:13-18 (ESV)

¹³ “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. ¹⁴ And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV)

Reflection

John 5:22 only makes sense when you understand the purpose of why Jesus came and who He is. John 3:17 makes it clear that when Jesus humbled Himself, and gave up His heavenly throne, born of a virgin, He came to save the world. His death on the cross would do so, having lived a perfect life. By dying the death we should’ve died and resurrecting from the dead, He conquered death once and for all. Then He ascended into Heaven and is sitting on the right hand of the Father.

His salvation that is given to all who accept, and is the gift we preach to others. The blood that Jesus sheds covers our sins and puts our names into the Book of Life. Those who are not there, will descend into Hades and be eternally separated from God. This is why the Father has given all authority to the Son. The Son will sit as a judge, as He knows those who accepted his gift of salvation and those who did not (John 10:3). That is why none can come to the Father except through the Son. And it is the Holy Spirit who resides in us who witnesses on our behalf that we are His (Romans 8:16). The Trinity at work.

Application

We are living in a time of God’s patience and mercy, waiting for Jesus to return once again and bring judgment on earth. As 2 Peter 3:9 says, God is not wanting anyone to perish, but that all should seek repentance.

Are you living life in such a way that you are diligently seeking opportunities to share this important news with those around you? We are all called to share the gospel above any social, political, or economic affiliations we may have.

The time draws ever closer.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be a good witness for you on this earth. I know that Your grace and mercy extended to me, so help me share Your good news to all those who can hear. Let me be a light to those around and to speak of Your goodness and grace. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.