Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
JOHN 14:18-20 (ESV)
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
We serve a risen Lord, and because He lives we can face tomorrow–“Because I live, you will also live.” What encouraging words Jesus spoke into the world as His disciples struggled to comprehend and let go of the Messiah’s physical presence in their life! Jesus assured them that as the risen Christ, He would be closer than ever! These words, although spoken long ago, live afresh in each new day. As we prepare to celebrate Easter, may our heart sing praises of the hope we have because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each generation can sing that because He lives, we can face tomorrow!
Today our world struggles to face just exactly what tomorrow may hold, and yet because of our faith in God, we can have peace amidst insecurities and trust that our future is secure. We don’t have to let our “hearts be troubled,” as Jesus says earlier in John 14:1.
As children of God, these words are a promise of our eternal life in heaven and assurance that we will see our Savior face to face. Jesus reassures us by His resurrection, that we too can dwell in the presence of the Father. The best is yet to come! In a world that chooses not to see Jesus in so many areas of life, it can be easy to lose hope. We can forget sometimes that God’s goodness still emerges from dark and broken places. Yet our Resurrected King is still on the throne. In uncertain times of suffering, world pandemics, economic struggles, HE LIVES. Jesus hasn’t left us; we are not orphaned (verse 18). Through Christ, the Holy Spirit of God indwells each believer today, and we can look forward to the day that Christ returns for all of God’s children! We can face uncertain days, because HE LIVES!
The beloved gospel song, “Because He Lives,” by Bill and Gloria Gaither emerged from the hope in John 14:19. In the 1960’s, Bill and Gloria Gaither’s heart was burdened for the turbulent world around them as well as personal struggles and attacks they were facing. While in the midst of this season of life, they discovered that they were expecting a baby. While overjoyed, they were also concerned for this child who would grow up in such a world that seemed to be turning its back on God. But they were reminded of hope in the resurrection of Jesus. While walking one day, they noticed a single blade of grass growing through a crack in the pavement which became an inspiration of hope in Christ and a reminder of God’s work in His creation. It was through this visual reminder of hope, the birth of their son, and the overarching glory of the resurrection of Jesus that Gloria was inspired to pen the words to the much beloved song, “Because He Lives.”
Child of God, let the Lord have the troubles of your heart today and may we sing in unison…
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living just because He lives!” –Gaither
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, I have so much to look forward to in You! Thank you for Your work on the cross, and for the gift of eternal life. Because You live, I can face tomorrow with hope and peace. In Your life, I find joy for my life. Help me to show a world that seems to no longer see you, that we serve a risen King! In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.