If a 3- or 4-year-old child was left without father or mother it would be a very sad situation. The child might like to have a picture of the parents as a reminder of them, but the picture would do nothing to help provide for, or protect the growing child!
Here is the story of the wonderful provision that was made for “children” that needed more than the “picture” that was left for them. Listen carefully because there is help and provision that YOU should know about, and can benefit from.
You might think I made a mistake when I said this true story is about “children”. You see, I am talking about the disciples of Jesus! But Jesus Himself called them His “children”. They had been His “children” for just over three years.
Do you know how God changes “sinners” into “His children”? Only Jesus Himself can do this wonderful miracle! He came into this world as the Saviour for sinners; His name means “Saviour.” “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God - children...born of God”! (John 1:12-13.)
Not everybody who THINKS he or she is a “child of God” is accepted by God into His family! Only those who know and trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
Jesus had explained the “picture” He wanted His disciples to have as a reminder of Him while He would be away from them; it was something they were to eat! “Bread”, to remind us of His body that took the punishment for our sins, and “wine” to remind us of His blood - the awful price paid for our sins.
But such “reminders” would not provide the protection and help they would need when Jesus would leave His “children”. Jesus prayed to His Father about this need. He said, “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name - the name you gave Me - so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name that You gave Me.” (verses 11-12.)
In Jesus’ absence it would not be the “reminder” of Jesus that would save and keep His followers! GOD HIMSELF would keep them by His almighty power, and the by the presence of His Spirit, just as Jesus had protected them while present with them.
Do you believe Jesus when He said He would NO LONGER REMAIN IN THIS WORLD? Many people refuse to believe Jesus about this! Perhaps you know some who believe they can still come to the “real presence” of Jesus in the world today!
Make sure your trust is not in something, or someone, in this world today to save and keep you! Those whose trust is in the real Jesus whose physical presence is in Heaven, are assured that the Father in Heaven will “protect them” and keep them safe for Heaven.
Read Jesus' own words about this in John chapter 17, verses 10-12.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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