April 12, 2026
What do we have a picture of today? Yep, it’s a torch. What do we use these for? One of the most important uses of a torch is to provide light for us in the dark, so we don’t get hurt by not seeing dangers. So, we make sure that any torch we have is in perfect condition; we check that the bulb works and that it has good batteries. Now, when we switch it on, we know that it works! But what happens if I switch it on and forget to switch it off? Is that a good idea? Of course, it will run out of energy and stop working.
How about this idea? I turn it off, but once a week I come and turn it on for a couple of minutes just to make sure it’s still working. Will the battery still be like new five years from now when I really need to use the torch? No, the batteries will be losing energy even if I just check them.
Well, how about this? I just leave the torch off. Will it still be just as bright ten years from now if I don’t use it until then? Nope, it might not even work, because even with the torch off, the batteries slowly drain.
But now let’s think about something God does for us by His power: Jesus dying on the cross and defeating sin, death, and the devil. Wow! And Jesus rose from the dead three days later. He lives! So when you were baptised, Jesus gave you the forgiveness of your sins and the gift of eternal life now. And there’s more to come! God wants you to live that life with Him in perfect bodies in heaven someday. What a gift!
It’s been many years since Jesus won that gift of eternal life for you. And it may be a long time from now until you’ll be brought to live with Him in heaven. Do you think eternal life with Jesus will still be just as wonderful, peaceful, and joyous when you finally go to heaven? You bet! God is the giver and keeper of life! In our Second Reading today, the Apostle Peter says that the life God wants to live with you is “kept in heaven for you”—always ready and waiting (1 Peter 1:4). It’s just as wonderful as when Jesus won it for us, and it will not die out like a torch.
So we get concerned here on earth about things running down, getting broken, or fading. Not so with God’s gift of eternal life. And since we know it’s waiting for us and that God’s already done everything to bring us to heaven with Him, we can live here and help others.
Thank You, Jesus, for giving me eternal life. I know that I have a home waiting for me that never fades or dies out! Amen.