Because He lives

BECAUSE HE LIVES

 “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

John 14:15-17

 Now that Christmas and the celebration of Christ’s birth is past, let’s fast-forward to a later time in history, some thirty-three or so years later when Jesus had completed His life on earth.

Before Jesus died, He promised to send his disciples the Holy Spirit, an advocate who would be with them to help them. This Spirit came to the disciples, and will come to live within us too when we accept who Jesus is and what He said and did while He walked the earth. Jesus can always be with us – always within us.

Have you ever had a great teacher, one you adored because of the way he seemed to change your life? He taught lessons that helped your approach to life, improving your outlook. He inspired you to live in a way you had never imagined possible. Jesus is that kind of teacher. And He’s a lot more than that.

Through His Spirit, Jesus can stay with us as a companion, a mentor, a friend, daily helping us know how best to live. Being aware of His presence inside us will help us find a joy that nothing can take away. Jesus is always ready to listen, always ready to cheer us on, always eager to explore the world with us. Not only that. He fills us up with a presence that reveals His great love – a greater love than we could ever imagine. Love we can pass on to others.

When we draw near to Jesus, whatever tough tasks we are called to, whatever pain or sorrow we may suffer, whatever trials we may experience, He is alive and at our side. Even now His light shines in our dark places, revealing hope and a meaningful future.

He said: “…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Try reading the stories about Jesus. Turn to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in your Bible and you will learn how He befriended and helped the most unlikely individuals – those considered the outcasts and stigmatized of the world He lived in. Jesus taught us – and a great portion of the world today – how to live and love.

Here’s a little gift for you: a link to the wonderful song that inspired this devotional. Hope you’ll enjoy.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M-zwE33zHA