The Gates of the City
This is an audio recording of The Gates of the City the Day 29 entry in Today: Devotions for Seafarers (Vol. 2) by Jason Zuidema.
Listen to the audio by Donielle Hart Goad or read the text below:
““Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.””
All seafarers know the value of clean and warm clothes. Mariners on deck in a northern port in winter know the importance of warm hats and gloves. Those in boiler suits all day are also thankful that they can wash them before the next shift!
Not long ago I spent a day walking in a forest with some friends. The ground was muddy and wet in the morning, and the sun shone hot in the afternoon. Though it was a thoroughly enjoyable day, by the end of it my shoes and clothes were filthy. I longed to put on fresh clothes and enjoy dinner around the campfire.
The Christian life might feel like a long and sometimes uncomfortable journey. According to Revelation 22, we have been given spiritual robes by God and are invited to wash them in the sparkling water that flows from his celestial city. This is a fantastic image, one that goes beyond our understanding, but it illustrates well the goal of our life's pilgrimage. We can relax and be at peace. Our work is done, and we can wash the clothing that might have been dirtied by the changes and challenges of life.
With clean robes, we can enter the gates of the city and meet our Lord face to face. The whole journey, which started with restless wanderers who could no longer enjoy full life in God's presence here on earth (see Genesis 3-4), will culminate in the embrace of the Lord and Savior on whom we have fixed our eyes. To "the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2), to the Alpha and Omega be all glory, honor, and praise!
For Further Thought
Why is it important to remember that life is a journey?
Are you prepared for that journey? Explain.
Are you looking forward to meeting Jesus at the journey's end?
Prayer
Perfect God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—I come to worship you. Make me clean and give me a joy that goes beyond anything I can imagine. In your name I pray. Amen.
