We Know the End of the Story

 

I love to read! I admit it – on a few occasions when I was really invested in the characters of a book, I sneaked a peek at the ending just to make sure that the characters survived. Knowing that things were going to turn out alright made it much easier to relax and enjoy the book.

 

The apostles were with Jesus for 3 years. Despite everything He told them, they were unprepared for His death on the cross. They were shaken and fearful for their own safety.  But then came Easter and Jesus was with them again, now in His resurrected body. In the forty days that followed, Jesus continued to teach them and gave them instructions for carrying on His work. Before Jesus left them, ”he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). When He ascended into heaven, the apostles “…worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God” (Luke 24:52-53). The apostles knew how the story ended, even though they didn’t know what awaited them.

 

Like the apostles, we may feel discouraged. We may even be at the point of losing hope. We too need to spend some extra time with Jesus, letting Him teach us and make His presence known to us. We too need to be open to a fresh infilling of His Spirit - our own Pentecost experience - to strengthen us for the task ahead. We too know how the story ends, even though we don’t know what awaits us. Jesus died for us, rose again, and intercedes for us. He sent His Spirit to dwell within us and be our help. Someday, we will meet Him face-to-face and be with Him forever.

 

May we always be people of hope, living in the peace of the Spirit and uplifted by the grace of God.

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The individual posts in this blog have been collected into a book, Reflections From the Basic Truths Blog.  It is available for free as an ebook through Barnes and Noble, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reflections-from-the-basic-truths-blog-james-yarmchuk/1147055811?ean=2940181202702, Apple Books, and multiple other book websites. It is available for a minimal charge on Amazon and can also be purchased as a paperback through them.