Psalm 49:5-12, 15, Isaiah 11:1-2:6, 2 Peter 2:1-22 - Lectionary for 12/5/11

Today's readings are Psalm 49:5-12, 15, Isaiah 11:1-2:6, and 2 Peter 2:1-22. One of my friends, when confronted with the liberty of the Gospel, has often asked me, "Is it really that good?" I have news for you from our reading in Isaiah today. Yes. It's really that good. The blessed realm of Christ in the last days will go against everything we have ever known. It will take predator and prey and make them playmates. It will take that which is destructive and make it beneficial. All sin will be finally broken down. Nothing but good will remain. And that's absolutely as good as it gets. While we live in this sin-cursed world we will engage in evil. We'll suffer for it too. Yet in that last day all the sin will be cast away. For those who are trusting in Jesus, there will be nothing remaining but his mercy and grace. The savior is really that good. So good that we will never understand it, at least not until the very end. Advent - the time of looking forward to Christ's coming - may the Lord come soon.