Day of Praise

Tu, 04/22/14, Easter Day #3, "Day of Praise"

Psalm 116:2 - "Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live."

Have you ever been talking to someone and it was as if they were looking right through you? Or, with those new cell phone ear buds, have you had someone looking right at you, but they are talking to someone else?

Neither of these ever happen with Jesus.

When Jesus was raised from the dead he showed the disciples that he was listening to them and speaking to them.

Remember yesterday's devotion and the celebration of peace from Christ? Well, right between the two times that he said "Peace be with you," he also breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit!" In other words, Jesus wasn't giving them peace as if he was doling out chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. He was also giving them himself. By the power of the Holy Spirit, which was just as he'd taught them, Jesus was assuring the disciples that he himself was and always would be with the disciples, personally dwelling in all who would believe.

Ya see, when somebody listens to you, that's what they're giving you, namely, themselves. When somebody really speaks to you personally, that's what they're giving you, namely, themselves. It's a rare thing nowadays for someone to take even a short time and give us him or herself. People have so much going on and therefore their hearts and minds are pulled in a million different directions like they're trying to watch every cable channel at once.

But with Jesus, he has one interest, namely, you and your salvation and your network of healthy relationships in the Body of Christ. Jesus is focused on you. He listens to you. And he speaks to you. Always has. Always will. That's why, even long ago, the psalmist was inspired to write in Psalm 116:2, "Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live."

Trust Christ! And you'll see!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson