Thought for the Week

Many of them are poor and hungry, yet North Korea is developing missiles and nuclear technology. The United States is committed to defending South Korea and is also aware of possible threats to their own country.

There is real concern that one rash action could start a very serious conflict.

Jesus was once asked by his disciples about the signs of the end of the world. He replied, “Wars will break out near and far, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won’t follow immediately. The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed.

You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.”

The words of Jesus certainly have a contemporary ring. There are tensions and conflicts between nations. International terrorism has become part of our lives. Natural disasters are common with devastating consequences for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people. Intolerance of Christians is also now more common and in some countries Christians experience serious persecution.

Yet the teaching of Jesus gives real hope. He clearly taught that the history of the world is guided by God. We are not at the mercy of the whims of political leaders and dictators. The end of the world will come in God’s time. He will deal with all evil and will usher in a new heavens and new earth where righteousness, not evil, will pervade everyone and everything.

In the midst of the traumas of history the message of God’s love for the people of his world is also being proclaimed. Christians have sent sacks of rice into North Korea with the words, “With love from Jesus” printed on them.

Those who received the food, who have never heard the name of Jesus, realised that he loved them. Against the background of all the bad news, a message of good news is being proclaimed to the nations, by word and deed. Jesus said “The Good News of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come.”