Dear Explorer,
Read John 14:22-23
Jesus kept telling His disciples what would happen, but they had their minds on another agenda. They had envisioned Jesus as their earthly King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They daydreamed of being great in His earthly Kingdom. They would conquer Rome and be physically set free. They were 100% supportive of Jesus as long as He fit their plans.
We're like that, too, aren't we? We pray, "Thy will be done" but deep down we make our plans based on our will and our wishes.
I remember how comfortably settled David and I were feeling in our New Jersey community. We felt settled. The kids were starting school and for the first time we felt we should put down real roots and buy our first home. We prayed, "Father, thank You for providing this new home. Guide us and don't let us get off track." Our pastor announced to the congregation on that Sunday that he was breathing easier knowing that we were buying a home and settling there. He wouldn't have to worry about us moving anytime soon. How surprised we were when God orchestrated a move all the way to California before we had signed the final papers. God had a better plan for us!
God's plans are full of surprises -- at least to us. He doesn't change -- He just corrects our course and it startles us occasionally.
And God had better plans in these verses. Instead of an earthly kingdom, Jesus would die on the cross to purchase our salvation. I think Judas listened to Jesus' reply and probably scratched his head and admitted that he just didn't get it.
What promise do you see in John 14:23?
This is the promise that Jesus (and God and the Holy Spirit) would come inside our God-shaped vacuum. Once Jesus died to pay for our sins, we would have the opportunity to fellowship constantly with God and Jesus through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Wow!
I KNOW Judas didn't understand that part!
If Jesus' death had only taken away my sins -- that would be awesome. Yes? But there's so much more than just Heaven by and by. There's the daily walk with Jesus. That's made possible by God dwelling inside of us. That is an awesome blessing and it's real and it's now and it's exciting – and we still get Heaven at the end.
In His service, dale
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