Join us sundays at 11:30 and 17:00

Lenten Devotional

April 10, 2020

All Day

Category: Lenten Devotional

The Reason We All Keep Going

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am,

 and to see my glory, the glory you have given me

because you loved me before the creation of the world” (John 17:24).

“With” is a great word, isn’t it? Honestly, the first thing I think of is food:

           “I will have the cheeseburger with bacon.”

           “I would love some ice cream with my pie.”

           “Why yes, I would love to have some fresh parmesan with my pasta.”

With usually means we are adding or joining, getting more of something or adding to make what we have even better. Without is negating, but with is adding.

Our Lord Jesus Christ had a full life while he walked this earth. He was constantly ministering to people, helping others, and teaching God’s truth. In the upper room, as Jesus was preparing to leave this world, he asked God for something additional. He would gain his reward and return to his Father in heaven in glory, but he interceded for something more. Something you and I should never forget. 

       “Father, I want those you have given me to be WITH me where I am…”     

       (Emphasis mine.)

Today is Good Friday, the day our Lord gave himself over to the will of men. We mourn his loss and death today. We mourn his pain and his betrayal. But we also praise him for his intervention in our fate, his sacrifice for you and for me. We praise our Lord Jesus, because he wanted to be with us. With you and me forever. With you and me in glory, the way things were supposed to be. Jesus gave himself to the fate of evil men so that he might be with us, forever. You and I are an addition to Jesus’ glory; he chose us. This is how we can keep going, to endure whatever life throws at us. We know there is a loving God in heaven who desires to be with us. This love Jesus has for us is motivation to continue on with the hope of glory. Jesus Christ wants to be with you. Do you desire to be with him?

Let us consider our motivations on this Good Friday. As Jesus desires to be with us, do we desire the same? To do ministry not for Jesus, but with Jesus? To love others not in the name of the Holy Spirit, but with the Holy Spirit? Today is surely a day of mourning, so let us mourn appropriately. But let us also have hope.

Prayer: May we have hope that comes with. May we have the promise that we will be with. Let us go forward with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for he is with us. Amen.