are you saved?

Friday | 14 | OT | C

Vancouver, July 12, 2019
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In the Book of Genesis we have this tremendous act of courage – and faith. Jacob sets out on his journey with his entire family, leaving Canaan, and moves towards Egypt. Jacob is given reassurance in a night vision; God calls upon Jacob, and Jacob replies with these three beautiful words: “Here I am.” Isn’t that everything that needs to be said – are there words richer than these when we communicate with God. “Here I am.” Jacob shows his presence, his disposition, his very being before God: “Here I am.” And God replies, “I am God.” Reassuring Jacob that this vision comes from God and not some evil spirit, nor is some pagan deity, but “the God of your father,” meaning, Isaac.

There is a severe drought in Canaan and Jacob is prepared to bring his entire family led by his 4th born son, Judah, to Egypt with the reassurance now of God’s presence. Jacob hopes he might still see Joseph, his second last child, as Judah had assured him. This requires trust. And hope. Jacob throws himself into the unknown and now God offers Jacob consolation reassuring Jacob, “I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s own hand shall close your eyes.” God promises Jacob in this vision he will see his son Joseph.

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Jacob does not know for how long he will live. Yet, he trusts God and three generations of family leave Canaan to go to Egypt – without really being sure what to expect. Joseph finally appears when they reach Goshen, and Jacob can finally say, “I can die now, having seen for myself that you are still alive.” This last verse of the reading from Genesis ties in with the Gospel of St. Matthew where Jesus Christ teaches, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” These are the Words of Our Lord: “the one who endures to the end will be saved.” We have the outstanding testimony of Jacob’s trust and hope to the very end. This is perseverance. God leading him to Egypt and reassures him that God will be there.
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People ask the question: Are you saved? The reply is: “If I persevere to the end, yes, I am saved,” like Peter and Paul, who believed in Christ while they were still in chains, while prisoners, while they experienced ridicule, hostility, mockery, and finally, execution. Putting our trust in God when it takes tremendous faith is to follow through with what is being asked of us. Our salvation depends on whether Jesus is Lord of Our life. So, Jesus is our Saviour, but not just for a powerful spiritual weekend, or during a intense worship service or for a year because everything seems to go smoothly. Jesus says, “the who endures to the very end.” We do not need to persevere when everything is going beautifully. Jesus is talking about the trials of every sort, in following Him. He is talking about carrying our Cross. And carrying our Cross to the end. Yes, I am saved, by God’s grace if I “endure to the very end” as Jesus Chris teaches.
Let us ask the Mother of Our Saviour, to teach us how to persevere to the very end as she had done herself to the very Cross of Christ. Amen.