Life in the Spirit · Evangelism and Mission

Jesus came to meet you… Did you know?

5 min read, approximately

Matthew 28:8-10
“And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”

Are we hungry?

The Word of God teaches us that

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Yet we live without restraint and go through all kinds of situations that end up hurting us so much. In other cases, we need not look so far: within our own families, both children and parents experience mistreatment… “I’m fed up with you”, “I don’t want to talk to you”, “You’re unbearable”, “I don’t want to be with you”, “I don’t want to see you anymore”, “You’re driving me crazy”, “You don’t seem like my child”, “You don’t seem like my parents”

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18:21)

Sadly, it takes only a little time for an emptiness to form within us. This is when that rejected daughter goes looking for someone who might fill the void that was never filled at home. No matter how much mistreatment she receives, what matters is getting at least some love. This is when a spouse goes looking for another partner and believes their infidelity is justified. This is when a spouse sinks into vices to forget loneliness and reality. This is when a son begins relationships with several women to feel the importance and admiration he was never given at home.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

Do we identify with these stories? Do we know someone who is living through them?

The Bread of Life

Perhaps right now we are facing debt, deceit, disappointment, abandonment, divorce, terminal illness, the death of a relative, rejection, sadness, or being forgotten. We may think no one loves or understands us. We have looked for solutions, yet our situation keeps getting worse. Perhaps we are lost and on the verge of losing our minds or taking our lives. Because every emptiness produces hunger and thirst, we want to eat the first thing we see, even if it harms us. Yet there is a Bread that gives life:

“For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world. They said therefore unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:33-35)

It is Jesus!

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, [more] than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:4-7)

Jesus has come to meet us!

We are that sheep who has gone astray and needs to return to the path, since

“They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not so much as one:” (Romans 3:12)

That is why Jesus tells us:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Today he wants us to understand that:

• Let us go to meet him, for he wants to fill every emptiness within us so that we may feel whole

“and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)

• Let us go to meet him, for he wants to h__eal every pain, illness, and ailment

“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy desire with good things, [So that] thy youth is renewed like the eagle.” (Psalms 103:3-5)

• Let us go to meet him, for he wants to g__ive us life in abundance

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)

• Remember, t__hrough his sacrifice on the cross of Calvary, we are free!

“For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)

Today Jesus wants us to understand that he came out long ago to meet us and seek us…

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Now that we know… will we open the door to him?

_**Remember to visit the Songbook

May God continue to bless you, and may you keep enjoying an excellent day in Christ Jesus!