Clothesline 252 "Invite Jesus in"

The Easter season is coming to a close tomorrow, with the Feast of the Ascension. Fifty days of glory in the shadow of His Resurrection. Jesus had spent three years with his apostles, preparing them to teach and bring others to know and love the Lord. On that infamous Friday, he was nailed to a cross, died a horrible death and was buried in a borrowed tomb. But we know that three days later he rose from that tomb and walked the earth again for fifty days, proving to those who believed that he indeed was the Son of God, God in the flesh. Still, this earth wasn’t his home, so at the appointed time, he returned to His Father…he ascended into heaven…the day we celebrate tomorrow.

As we look back on all the inspiring words Jesus spoke, his message at the Last Supper is probably the most precious, even for us today. He said, “If you love me and keep my words, my Father and I will make our home with you. Even though I must return to my Father, I will not leave you alone. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. And before I leave, I give you my peace.”

I often wonder what that evening must have been like, hearing those words. These twelve men had left everything to follow Jesus. They hung on his every word, and now they were being told that their Lord and Master was leaving them. My guess is that they missed the part where Jesus said he would not leave them alone and that something or someone called the “Holy Spirit” would come and live in them. But Jesus, knowing their humanness added, “Don’t be afraid.” When my life turns upside down, I remember those words, and it usually keeps me sane!

Another thing Jesus’ words call to mind is His presence in our lives isn’t forced; it’s a gift that we either choose to accept…or not. There is a famous painting of Jesus knocking on the front door of someone’s home. Noticeably, there is no outside doorknob, which is illustrating beautifully in the words from Revelation: “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in.” That’s the only requirement: inviting Jesus into your heart. If you believe and open your heart to Him, He will live in you forever.

So Jesus returns to His Father in heaven, and the apostles wait for the promised Holy Spirit. And that same promise is ours: if we love Jesus, live by His Words and believe in His promises, we will never be alone. The Holy Spirit will live in us! Those words keep me going, even on those difficult days that try to break me down.

Loving God and allowing His Spirit to live in us is part of His plan. Abundant blessings are part of the plan. And he loves us enough to let us sometime lose our way. And when we get tired of doing things ourselves with bad results— when we get tired of hurting—he loves us enough to give us His Holy Spirit, just for the asking. So don’t be troubled; don’t be afraid. Sit at His feet. His plan, his blessings, his love are always close at hand.