Jeremiah 23:1-6, Psalm 46, and Luke 23:33-43
Sometimes I am shocked and saddened by the passing of close friends, family, and church members. Among them, the news of acquaintances who passed away without being prepared for the separation leaves a deep scar. In these times, today’s Bible lectionary provides passages that prepare for the end of the world before Advent, the church calendar that prepares for the birth of Jesus.
What image does the end of the world have for you? After coming to Canada, I discovered that each region has its own unique residential culture. While in Vancouver, I discovered a house style called the Vancouver Special, which was popular from 1965 to 1985. According to CBC creator Uytae Lee, the population was growing, but there were strict regulations on building houses. The limitation is the amount of square footage the first floor can occupy. But basements were not included in that calculation, and architect Cudney took advantage of this by building his first floor 18 inches below the ground — just enough for it to qualify as a ‘basement.’
This allowed people to build bigger houses, with the so-called basement becoming a separate unit of housing, enabling two separate families to live under one roof.
Thus, the Vancouver Special was perfect for many aspiring homeowners: immigrants could house extended family on the other floor, and working-class residents could rent out that floor and use the income to pay their mortgage.
As more and more Vancouver Specials were built, it became easier to build them. The materials became standard in the construction industry, and city staff began to recognize the design and approve it for construction more quickly. But by 1988, the city officially made it illegal to build them.
The Kelowna Special: In 2018, the city of Kelowna held a competition for designs that could fit multiple housing units on properties within single-family neighbourhoods. The winning designs for a quadplex were given a fast-track approval process, from over a year to just two to three weeks. However, people began to describe its architecture as bland, ugly and far too familiar.
Coming to Alberta, I was introduced to the Farmhouse and Craftsman styles, which were new to me. Just as there are houses for different purposes, humans have houses to live in while living on this land. And as time goes by, there is a house that should move to. Some people don’t believe in it. But we Christians believe in its existence. In the Scripture today, we read that Jesus went to be crucified at a place called the Skull. There were two criminals there, one on the left and one on the right. At that time, a criminal asked Jesus. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
I meditate on one aspect of faith in this scene: faith is believing in situations where faith is impossible. There was a man whom many thought was the Messiah. He performed countless miracles. He is called a prophet with the ability to bring even the dead back to life. Even when he entered Jerusalem, a great crowd welcomed him as if he were a king. But that prophet is being crucified right in front of me. In this situation, I cannot rationally understand the prisoner’s request. Everyone is pointing fingers at Jesus and denying his existence. Two thousand years later, we can confess Jesus as the Messiah because we know his entire life and his resurrection.
But now, Jesus, who is before the prisoners’ eyes, is being slandered by the rulers, soldiers, and even the prisoners. Where in this image can we confirm the existence of the Messiah? What can we see that will make us believe in Jesus? It’s not rational. Instead, it is close to impossible. But it is at this very point that we see faith begin. To the criminal who asked Jesus for his afterlife, Jesus promised paradise. This prisoner must have believed Jesus’ words. I also declare that when we trust this, we will receive it.
Yes, the prisoner’s confession of faith led him to paradise. His faith helped him discover Jesus as the Messiah. This belief is soon a miracle. It is a miracle that makes the incomprehensible understandable and the impossible possible. How else can we explain the fact that we are here today if not by a miracle? Dear friends, just as we met in Red Deer, I believe that in the distant future we will all live together in paradise where Jesus resides. We will obtain that world by faith.
Second, I hope to spend the last days of 2025 meditating more on Jehovah. The image of God, as confirmed in the Psalms and the Book of Jeremiah, is diverse. Through the book of Jeremiah we read today, we can see that God is the Righteous Saviour. He warns the leaders of society and religion and is concerned about the lives of the people. God understands our needs and struggles, and He conveys His will through Jeremiah, promising to send a great leader.
In Psalm 46, God shows another expression. God is our refuge and an ever-present help in trouble. Difficulties and hardships, big and small, will continue to arise as we live. But in all our problems, God is with us. It may not respond in the way I want. The important thing is that God is with us. So, when the world sees it, even during tribulation, the saints can keep their faith. Even if you have financial difficulties, you will not lose sight of God. Even when life’s significant wounds and trials come, you can rise again because we know what the Lord has done.
We need to know, confess, and worship that God is the Creator. At the beginning of this winter, I want to meditate on God’s actions and, together, praise Him for helping us this year as well. You meditate on the Lord’s guidance. I hope that your family will draw closer to God. Therefore, when Jesus comes into his Kingdom, I bless you and your whole family to be saved and rejoice greatly.