LEARNING DAILY

John 2:10, And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

Pastor Ed Newton began the Easter service with the statement, “The best is yet to come”. I realize that the verse above comes from the wedding when Jesus turned the water into the wine. Pastor Newton did not use this verse; I was reminded of it when I heard his statement. The stone was rolled away from the tomb and the tomb is empty. Jesus paid the price for every sin you and I have ever and will ever commit. That’s the best news ever. Once a person “stops doubting and accepts that in faith”, that person is set on a narrow way that begins to change their life, making them ready to enter heaven. “The best is yet to come”. What does that mean?

I want you to consider how blessed you are as a Believer that you have placed your faith in the Risen Christ. Those great men and women of the Old Testament walked in faith they could only anticipate. Its like they drank the wine that was inferior but were never able to fully grasp or taste the wonder and goodness of the new wine the risen Christ gives to His Believers. Those walking in the wilderness were able to eat the manna and drink the water God gave to them; but Believers today drink freely from the living water only Jesus gives those who believe in Him. “But the best is yet to come!” Jesus is coming back to reign, and we will drink the new wine He brings with Him that He has kept for His return.

Until that time or the time the Lord Jesus takes a Believer “home” to heaven, Believers walk a narrow way that He Himself said would be difficult. There are those Believers that live day to day, not knowing where their next meal will come from. There are those who have physical ailments that must be endured. There are those whose ability to understand the Word of God is hindered due to a variety of reasons. There are Believers who live with persecution for their beliefs. But, let me encourage you that “The best is yet to come”.

The way of life Believers have had to walk the narrow way with – the sickness, pain, blindness, anxiety, and all the problems of this world are all going to be gone! Because the stone has been rolled away and the tomb is empty, every promise the Lord Jesus has made, all the beauty and promise of heaven is going to be seen. The Revelation tells us there will be no more sickness, no more pain, the weak will be raised in power because Jesus brings out the new wine as Believers spend eternity with Him in His kingdom. God will shine brighter than the light of the sun and will give His faithful followers rest as they worship and praise Him.  “The best is yet to come”.

Be encouraged as you, as a Believer walk this narrow way. Stay faithful! Don’t doubt – believe that all you are experiencing on this narrow way will be worth eternity in heaven! The problems and concerns of this world are going to come. The temptations of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life are going to come. There will be stress and anxiety that try to distract faith; they do not seem to go away. When they do, trust and rest in the Lord Jesus.

I want to close this page of the blog with what really excites me. Believers, the walk on the narrow way will be worth every trial, every temptation, every tear when we see Jesus faces to face and bow at His feet in thanksgiving, praise, and worship. Can you have any idea what that will be like? Also, consider that in heaven, Believers will be able to spend eternity talking with all saints read about in the Old and New Testament. Imagine sitting with Daniel and asking him about the night he spent in the lion’s den or Jonah when he was in the whale. Then you can tell them about how you came to know the risen Christ and walk with Him as your Savior and Lord. What about spending time with Moses or Joseph or any of the prophets and disciples? I can only imagine the fellowship that Heaven will have!

Yes, walking the narrow way is difficult; all believers have their testimony about that. Just remember: “The best is yet to come”. You are going to be able to say, “You have kept the good wine until now!”