I now interrupt the series on bearing Christ to the world’s women to bring you this great comment on the panoramic vision we have of life due to the Sun of righteousness rising to light the way. First, hear Hebrews 11:39-40, which summarizes the “great hall of faith,” a panegyric of Old Testament figures who lived faithfully even though they had only glimpsed God’s glorious plan from afar:
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Now listen to Calvin’s words:
John Calvin: “If those on whom the great light of grace had not yet shone showed such surpassing constancy in bearing their ills, what effect ought the full glory of the gospel to have on us?” asks Calvin. “A tiny spark of light led them to heaven, but now that the Sun of righteousness shines on us what excuse shall we offer if we still cling to the earth?”
Think about it. We have a rescue to remember — the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the reason for the hope that is in us. What thing on this earth am I clinging to with a ‘death-grip,’ afraid of letting go for fear I will lose joy, hope, meaning, and purpose?
