Tag: Jesus Comes Back

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

Jesus Will Come Back

Posted on by
WEEK 3, DAY 4 OF COME, LORD JESUS, COME – (A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY)
TODAY’S READING: Acts 1:1-11; Hebrews 9:27-28 (SOAP: Hebrews 9:27-28)

27 And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment, 28 so also, after Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, to those who eagerly await him he will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation.

Hebrews 9:27-28 NET
OBSERVATIONS
Many Convincing Proofs

While our focus verses come from Hebrews 9:27-28 I cannot help but make a few observations on the passage from Acts chapter 1. In large part it is a recap of Luke 24, where we read about being witnesses and waiting on the Holy Spirit. But there is one line that caught my attention, “He presented Himself alive with many convincing proofs.” It made me ask myself – ‘how has He presented Himself to me?’ To the apostles He appeared for more than forty days and spoke with them about matters of the kingdom, not to mention other proofs like inviting Thomas to reach out and touch where the nails had been in his hands and sides, telling him to “stop doubting and believe”. We may not have His visible appearance with us as the apostles did or be able to touch His nail scarred hands as Thomas did, but God’s Word is full of proofs and conversations about matters concerning the Kingdom of God. And, like the apostles, we have been given the Holy Spirit, who lives in us. Personally, for me, it has been the awareness of His presence with me, or watching Him work in the life of a loved one, or the peace that comes in a storm of life or an engulfing fear, or the power of His Spirit in me when I know I have no strength of my own.

The Focus Passage

Like man – Jesus died once, and He did it to make atonement, or pay, for our sin. His sacrifice was so perfect that we have no need of another payment, or atonement. So when He returns it will not be to pay for our sins but to save all those who have trusted in Him from this dark sin-filled world.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?

It means that I can know and trust that He is coming again and will take me out of this world to forever live with Him. To which I say – Hallelujah!! COME, LORD JESUS, COME!!

RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

Father, by faith I am saved! Because of Your grace through the atonement of Christ – the perfect, spotless lamb. And this same Jesus will return for me, for I am sealed with the Holy Spirit whom You gave me the moment I believed. I claim and praise You for Your promises in Jesus’ name – and wait with great expectation for His return – Amen and Amen!

YOUR TURN: REFLECTIONS
  • How has Jesus presented Himself to you?
  • While you wait for Jesus’ return, what can you do today to help share Him with your neighbors and friends?
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, LGG Study

I Am Going Away and Coming Back Again

Posted on by

Come, Lord Jesus, Come: Week 2, Day 2 (A Love God Greatly Study)

Today’s Reading: John 14:15-31(SOAP: 27-28)

 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am.”

John 14:27-28 NLT

Real and Lasting Hope Brings Peace

I love that Jesus, who is getting ready not just to die but hang on a cross for sins He did not commit, is so compassionately concerned about the effect of His leaving that He promises the disciples a gift. The gift is peace of mind and heart, so they will not need to be troubled or afraid. His is a peace that comes from more than just words, it is a peace that is distinctly different than the world offers because it comes with real and lasting hope in the promise that He is coming back!

A Repetitious Warning and A Personal Connection

Again, in conjunction with Jesus’ impending departure, He encourages the disciples not to be troubled [distressed] or afraid. The encouragement is always the same and meant to carry a lot of weight – “I am coming back.” I love reading this particular conversation in the NET which translates it with a much more personal tone, using the pronoun ‘you’ nine times in the two short verses. To me, this emphasizes that this was not an open message to just anyone but rather specifically for His disciples, which we are.

““Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage. You heard me say to you, ‘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, because the Father is greater than I am.”
‭‭

John‬ ‭14:27-28‬ ‭NET‬‬

What Does This Mean For Us?

The promise of His return and the promise of His peace being different than what we can find in the world means that…

  • I don’t have to be troubled or afraid.
  • I can choose peace over fear and distress.
  • I need to choose God/Christ over the world.
  • I can/will be glad that He is with the Father.
  • Because He is with the Father, I have the Spirit 24/7, 365 days of the year.
  • Because He gave His life for me, I can count on His promise to come back for me.

Response to the Word:

Father, How great You are! Even greater than we truly understand, for even Jesus says You are greater than Him. Not only have You given us the Spirit in Jesus’ absence, but Jesus offers us peace – indescribable and everlasting – so that as we wait for His return, we are not alone and have no need to fear or be distressed – but rather we can stand firm in the courage that comes from knowing He will return!

Your Turn: Reflection Question

How can we experience God’s peace in our lives?