Easter Sunday – March 23, 2008

Providence Lutheran Church, Holland, Ohio

Lord of the Waters!

"Heavenly Waters"

Revelation 22:1-5

by Pastor Dennis R. King

The Grace and Mercy of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you forever as the Lord of the waters.

“And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God ….” (Revelation 21:2) “Then he showed me the river of the water of life, bright as a crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the streets of the city….” (Revelation 22:1-2) All things will be made new. The Lord will dwell with His people and the refreshment of his presence will produce peace and prosperity forever. “You the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:6)

The river flows through the main streets of the New Jerusalem. It is a unique picture that the needs of the people of God will be met right where they live. No carrying of water jugs to some outlying well to get a day’s supply of water. And the trees with their tasty fruits shall be growing upon the banks of the river, giving to the people the bounty of their produce.

On this Easter morning the resurrected Christ walks in our midst to make us aware of the river that we must travel to arrive at the New Jerusalem – The river of reconciliation, the river of rejuvenation, and the river of reunion. It is one thing to talk about Heaven; it is another to make it our destination. The Panama Canal makes it possible for ships to cross from the Atlantic to the Pacific in Latin America. This channel of water became a reality because of one of the greatest engineering works of all times. It involved the lives of thousands of people and the excavation of an estimated 175,000,000 cubic yards of earth.

The soil of sin had built an impenetrable barrier between God and humans. Generations of humankind stood on planet Earth and wondered how they could ever arrive on the shores of Heaven. Many engineering feats with theological tools feel short. But God accomplished what we failed. God built a canal at Calvary through which the resurrection waters flowed freely. “But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility… so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing hostility to an end.” (Ephesians 2:13-16) “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself …;” (2Corinthians 5:11)

Humanity has yearned for a conviction that our souls will survive death. We have seen glimpses of the eternal city and we have wrestled with the possibilities. The river of reconciliation flows from the throne of God to the dwelling places of humanity and then makes its way back to God.

But where is the craft upon which I can cling? I cannot navigate the canal that leads home with the powerful strokes of a conditioned swimmer. I need a ship to bear the way! It is interesting that the main part of the interior of a church building is called the nave. Nave comes from the Latin word, which means ship. The church, that is the body of Christ, becomes the vessel on which I travel to eternity. To be sure, it is not the bricks and mortar of the building in which I worship, but rather the craft of Christ Himself.

The passport to board this ship is not given when I embark on the final journey to eternity. It is given when I receive Christ, and thus my journey to eternity begins now. The passport is faith—it is a free pass given by the Captain whose name is Jesus. Therefore I can be traveling with the certainty of arriving in the New Jerusalem some day. My feelings may betray me, my past frighten me, and my heart may attempt to condemn me. But what does it matter since God has spoken His word of reconciliation and I have accepted it. God has given the passport, and no one can snatch it out of my pocket. Thus I can say with Paul, “I am sure that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

As we run the rapids of life, we might be tossed to and fro but we will make it to the destination. The ship is sturdy, and it is captained by the Lord of the Waters. It is exhilarating to feel the spray of the waters on your face, to ride through the storms, to feel the tranquility of a peaceful bay since you know that you are on your way home. Life ought to be lived that way.

When Scripture pictures the New Jerusalem, the river is described in the terms, “bright as crystal!” It is no stagnant pond with scum floating on the surface. There is no foul odor rising from the decay along its banks. Rather the scene is one of purity, dazzling beauty, radiant colors, a birth of new creativity. In fact, it is so exciting that Paul shouts, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) And again, “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

France Bacon had an engraved picture on his bookplate. It was the picture of a small ship sailing out between the great Pillars of Hercules into an uncharted sea. Inscribed on the bow of the ship was its proud and defiant name, “More Beyond.” Now that is the faith of the Christian life. We have seen only a little of those far-reaching corridors of the Father’s house.

The river running through the New Jerusalem speaks of motion, activity and life. When we arrive there on the ship of faith, we will find better tools and better working conditions to express our creativity and the music of our souls.

The river runs home. The Israelites knew what it was like to wander. They had done so in the dessert for forty years. The shepherds knew what it was to search the land for grazing grass. The years of captivity and exile were marked on the minds of the Hebrews who often had lived far from home. So often in their history, they were nomads and pilgrims. The writer of Hebrews describes their plight and also their eternal hope, “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come.” (Hebrews 13:14) And of Abraham it was said, “For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrew 11:10)

The city meant home. The New Jerusalem coming down from God was the destination of the resurrection river of life. We, as God’s children, call this planet our home for a number of years until our transfer papers arrive. But our passport has the stamp of Heaven boldly marked across it, for there our true citizenship belongs. There is God who knows us and to whom we belong. To the family of faith who have already made the good journey, who make up that great company in the Heavenly bleachers, cheering us on during the final laps of life’s race. There is no place like home where all shame and sins are dropped at the steps and where we enter into a family familiar, accepting, and loving of us.

Dr. Alvin Rogness told of his traveling days during World War II when he spoke at various gatherings. Often on the train he would study the faces of the soldiers. There was a different expression in the mood and manner of those going home on furlough compared to those leaving home and going abroad into the war. I believe the same holds true for the sons and daughters of faith as they travel through life. There is a steady optimism and joy in their smiles. They are not headed for no-man’s land. They are heading home, not on a furlough, but for an eternity.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus, just think of the door of death opening up and you stepping on shore and finding it Heaven. You breathe new air and find it celestial air. You open your eyes and see the face of God. You wake up from death’s slumber only to find out that you are home. That will be the biggest and best homecoming that you have ever gone to.

Yes, the river leads home, right down Main Street. So as you ride the ship of faith down the river of life, stay in the bow of the boat so you can feel the spray of the glorious future on your face. It will be inspiring as the Lord of the Waters leads you home! Amen.