“He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
I was is a hurry and grabbed my sunglasses off the buffet. Unknowingly, the ear piece was hooked around a crystal goblet, When I pulled the sunglasses off the shelf, the crystal came with it. In nano-seconds I saw what was about to take place and thrust out my hand to catch it. But it was too late! All I could do is watch the inevitable as the glass hit the ceramic tile and exploded all across the room! My reaction? “OOPS!!!!!!”
That very night I had grandkids over for a sleepover. One of them dropped a glass of juice onto the floor. Thankfully (or wisely) I had put the juice into a PLASTIC glass. My reaction from earlier in the day was a fresh nano-second reminder that ‘accidents happen.’ All I could say was, “It’s OK honey.. I’ll clean it up!” Grace had won!
I will never forget the time when, as a child, I spilled a glass of milk on the dinner table. My parent’s immediate reaction was to whack me across the face. The punishment was EXTREME, to say the least! It is STILL shocking to both you and I when I relay the story. It invokes serious emotions. But looking back, I am forced to remember something else! To be honest… the whack wasn’t for spilled milk!
The scene wasn’t normal. My parents were stressed about something and the tension among all of us was high. I had been told several times to settle down at the dinner table…but I hadn’t complied! Furthermore, I had been warned… which made no difference. The WHACK was NOT because I had spilled my milk, but because I had been grossly insubordinate in my disobedience to my parents wishes.
When we see the above Bible verse standing alone, it causes shock. It is easy to think Jesus Christ too violent in His actions. ESPECIALLY since He suffered and died FOR the very people about to be punished when He returns. The initial reaction might be to label Him a big meany! Which would be a gross mistake. His action of judgment will NOT be because of a stressful day. But because of gross insubordination and disobedience to Gods will of Salvation.
Jesus Christ was passionate in His suffering and dying for MY sins. God the father added constraint to allow it to happen. Ultimately, God’s horrific suffering was the ONLY way possible for mankind to be redeemed from destruction. He offered it FREELY to ANYONE who would receive it! Maybe I should be less shocked about HIS reaction to the Gospel’s deliberate refusal, and more shocked about MY disobedience to proclaim it!
