"You heard me say, "I am going away and I am coming back to you."If you
loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the
Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so
that when it does happen you will believe."
- John 14:23-29 and Psalm 67
This was Sunday's devotion-- THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER--
This is the time of year for high school and college graduations. Many
will say good-bye to old friends and familiar places. We wonder what
life will be like for them after the old and familiar is gone. The old
saying I remember is; parting is such sweet sorrow. As I can remember
when we took our daughter to college in Lincoln. The sorrow is in
knowing that life will never be the same again; the sweet is in
appreciating the gifts of the past which prepare us to face the future.
This is true of any transition in our life. Our hearts are troubled,
our minds worried and our spirits afraid.
These were the feelings of Jesus' disciples as Jesus spoke to them of
His approaching arrest and . . .
"You heard me say, "I am going away and I am coming back to you."If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe."
- John 14:23-29 and Psalm 67
This was Sunday's devotion-- THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER--
This is the time of year for high school and college graduations. Many will say good-bye to old friends and familiar places. We wonder what life will be like for them after the old and familiar is gone. The old saying I remember is; parting is such sweet sorrow. As I can remember when we took our daughter to college in Lincoln. The sorrow is in knowing that life will never be the same again; the sweet is in appreciating the gifts of the past which prepare us to face the future. This is true of any transition in our life. Our hearts are troubled, our minds worried and our spirits afraid.
These were the feelings of Jesus' disciples as Jesus spoke to them of His approaching arrest and death on the cross. Jesus said, "I am going away, and I am coming back to you." What Jesus meant was His earthly body no longer would be with the disciples after His death and resurrection. He promised to be present in the Spirit throughout countless communities and generations to come.
The Holy spirit if the fulfillment of Jesus' promise that we will not be left orphaned and desolate. The presence of the crucified and risen Jesus in the community of faith is known through the Holy Spirit. His words still comfort us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
Christian friends, one day when Christ returns, there will be worldwide peace. But for now, peace on earth comes to one person at a time. Do you have that peace? You can enjoy the serenity of a peace-filled life if you will learn to abide in Christ.
Oh, the peace I find in Jesus,
Peace no power on earth can shake,
Peace that makes the LORD so precious
Peace that none from me can take.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY- Our peace is not based on things going well in our lives, but only on Jesus. Where He is, there is our peace.