Jesus lives!

534 Jesus is aliveIf you could only choose one Scripture that sums up your entire life as a Christian, what would it be? Perhaps this most quoted verse: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life?" (John 3:16). A good choice! For me, the most important verse that the Bible conveys as a whole is this: "In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you" (John 14,20).

On the night before his death, Jesus not only told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would be given to them "in that day," but he also repeatedly spoke of what would happen through his death, resurrection, and ascension. Something so incredible is about to happen, something so amazing, something so shattering, that it just doesn't seem possible. What do these three little sentences teach us?

Do you realize that Jesus is in his father?

Jesus lives through the Holy Spirit in an intimate, unique and very special relationship with his Father. Jesus lives in his father's womb! "No one has ever seen God; the only one who is God and is in the Father's bosom has proclaimed it" (John 1,18). One scholar writes: "To be in someone's womb is to be in someone's embrace, to be filled with someone's most intimate care and loving care." Jesus is right there: "In the bosom of his heavenly Father."

Do you realize that you are in Jesus?

"You in me!" Three small breathtaking words. where is jesus We just learned that he is in a genuine and joyful relationship with his heavenly Father. And now Jesus says that we are in him just as the branches are in the vine (John 15,1-8th). Do you understand what that means? We are in the same relationship that Jesus has with his Father. We're not looking on from the outside trying to figure out how to become part of this special relationship. We are part of it. What is this actually about? How did it all happen? Let's look back a little.

Easter annually reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But this is not just the story of Jesus, it's your story too! It is the story of each and every one of us because Jesus was our substitute and substitute. When he died, we all died with him. When he was buried, we were all buried with him. When he rose to a new glorious life, we all rose to that life (Romans 6,3-14). Why did Jesus die? "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring you to God, and was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit" (1. Petrus 3,18).

Unfortunately, many people imagine God as a lonely old man who lives somewhere in heaven and looks at us from afar. But Jesus shows us exactly the opposite. Because of his great love, Jesus united us with himself and brought us into the presence of the Father through the Holy Spirit. "And when I go to prepare the place for you, I will come again and take you to me, that you too may be where I am" (John 14,3). Did you notice that there is no mention of anything we have to do or achieve in order to get into His presence? It's not about following rules and regulations to make sure we're good enough. We are already: "He raised us with us and made us part of it in heaven in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2,6). This special, unique and intimate relationship that Jesus has with the Father through the Holy Spirit for all eternity has become accessible to everyone. They are now as closely connected to God as they can be and Jesus made this intimate relationship possible.

Do you realize that Jesus is in you?

Your life is worth so much more than you can ever imagine! Not only are you in Jesus, but He is in you. It has spread within you and resides within you. He is present in your everyday life, in your heart, thoughts and relationships. Jesus takes shape in you (Galatians 4:19). When you go through difficult times, Jesus goes through them in you and with you. He is the strength in you when trouble comes your way. He is in the uniqueness, weakness and fragility of each of us and rejoices in His strength, joy, patience, forgiveness being expressed in us and showing through us other people. Paul said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1,21). This truth applies to you too: He is your life and therefore it is worth giving yourself up for him. Trust that he is who he is in you.

Jesus is in you and you are in him! You are in this atmosphere and there you will find light, life and food that strengthens you. This atmosphere is in you too, without it you could not exist and you would die. We are in Jesus and He is in us. He is our atmosphere, our whole life.

In the high priestly prayer, Jesus explains this unity even more precisely. "I sanctify myself for them, so that they too may be sanctified in the truth. I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word that they are all one. Like you, father "If you are in me and I am in you, let them also be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory that you have given me, that they may be one like." we are one, I in them and you in me, so that they may be perfectly one and the world may know that you have sent me and love them as you love me "(John 17,19-23).

Do you rather recognize readers, your oneness in God and the oneness of God in you? This is your biggest secret and gift. Return your love of God with your gratitude!

by Gordon Green