20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelations 3:20
Paul Harvey's'a man and his birds' has become the classic of mine every holiday season. A poetic reminder of God's greatest gift to mankind, the gift of God's son, Jesus to a world starving for significance. Yet, the true gift wasn't realized until the sorrow overwhelmed us when Jesus took his final breath on the cross.
Those who might have walked away from Christ believing this was just another broken promise from God never got to see the greatest Spiritual revival in the history of mankind when Jesus reappeared in his new heavenly body and witnessed by thousands of people.
Nor was their faith strong enough to firmly believe Jesus Christ and accept Him as their Savior and Lord of their life.
In the book of Acts 1-2, we read these words from Jesus3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Later in that Chapter are these words of encouragement from our Lord Jesus, "7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The greatest gift wasn't realized until after the final blow and the final breath was taken, but after he was resurrected and came back to fulfill the promise God made to His people. Shortly before Jesus took his final breath, he uttered those words found in John 19: 28 'After this, Jesus, knowing[a] that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
How easy is it for us to rush our grief by engaging in mindless activities that do nothing but ruin our souls! I would have loved to be in that room when Jesus made his appearance or witnessed those words found in John 20 to Thomas, one of his disciples, '24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
There is a reward for those who trust the living Savior that He knows what to do with your pain and suffering. To those who trust and lean on their emotions will find healing. When we accept the living Savior into our heart, he promises to walk with you on your journey of life, just as Revelations 3:20 reminds us.
When you trust the living Savior with your pain, one day you will once again laugh and giggle just as you had before your loss.
Later in that Chapter are these words of encouragement from our Lord Jesus, "7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The greatest gift wasn't realized until after the final blow and the final breath was taken, but after he was resurrected and came back to fulfill the promise God made to His people. Shortly before Jesus took his final breath, he uttered those words found in John 19: 28 'After this, Jesus, knowing[a] that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
How easy is it for us to rush our grief by engaging in mindless activities that do nothing but ruin our souls! I would have loved to be in that room when Jesus made his appearance or witnessed those words found in John 20 to Thomas, one of his disciples, '24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
There is a reward for those who trust the living Savior that He knows what to do with your pain and suffering. To those who trust and lean on their emotions will find healing. When we accept the living Savior into our heart, he promises to walk with you on your journey of life, just as Revelations 3:20 reminds us.
When you trust the living Savior with your pain, one day you will once again laugh and giggle just as you had before your loss.
He really does make all things new!
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