Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22
Looking for a story that would help us see the meaning of Easter, I finally tried reading a chapter of “Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul.” The stories there are emotionally powerful. (I confess that I had to blow my nose a few times.) But in the section on death and loss there was one thing many of the stories had in common. In almost all of them, the storyteller says that their loved one reached back from the grave or down from heaven to comfort them. A lightning bolt struck, sent by dad. A lost ring appeared, sent by the deceased son. A rainbow was a gift from mom.
These are nice thoughts. I would love to get a message from my father. I often wish I could ask for his advice. But don’t you see we have something much better?
It’s not our parents who watch over us from heaven. It’s not our beloved spouse who is the presence with us when we are discouraged.
JESUS is the one who has risen from the dead. JESUS is the one who loves us, and who has sacrificed more for us. JESUS is the one who has promised to be with us even to the end of the ages, and who sent his Spirit to live IN us! That is why we say so triumphantly, “Christ is risen!”
It is precious to me to know that my father is with Jesus in heaven. And it is comforting to know that all my family who trust in Jesus will be with me there. But the greatest thing – the really amazing thing – is that we will be with Jesus there. That’s why they call it heaven! Because at last we will be face-to-face with him!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the one, the only source of my comfort and strength. Thank you for my loved ones here, and those who are now with you. But let my heart be filled with you. Only you. Amen.