Beginning at the End

May 28, 2025

Beginning at the End

Revelation 22:20-21

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."

And let everyone who hears say, "Come."

And let everyone who is thirsty come.

Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

The one who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon."

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints.

Beginning at the End

Some people like to start at the end - to read a book by reading the last page first. I’m not that person, but I get it. It’s a way to make sure you want to commit to the story –to decide whether the story is worthy of your time and emotional energy. After all, reading a book is a journey into another world for a period of time.

Our scripture for today is the end of the story - the last two verses of the whole Bible. Turns out the book ends with a beautiful, poetic invitation. We are invited, everyone who is thirsty is invited - we all are included in an invitation to come. To drink the water of life and prepare to welcome the love of Christ into the world, coming more and more to meet us on the way.

We are invited to invite Christ to come again – to complete the transformation of our world to a place of justice and peace forever. How does that ending impact your openness to the whole story of the people of God?

Reflection Questions:

1) What role does reading play in your life?

2) Do you see the Bible as a book, or a collection of books?

3) Does the resurrection change how you read the gospels?

Prayer: Come Lord Jesus, deeper and deeper into my heart. Come to all people, spreading love and justice and peace throughout the whole world! Amen