Let Him In!

Open the door and let him in.

And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 

And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

                                      (John 6:16-21 KJV)

Who wouldn't be a bit afraid if you were out in the storm and someone came walking on the water toward you? The disciples were just that. They were frightened. But, Jesus speaks to them, "It is I; be not afraid." They recognize his voice and they let him in the boat.

Jesus is anxious to get in the boat with you. He is knocking at the door. He is already with you and for you. But, he will not force himself on you. It is not enough to know about Jesus. Let him into your small boat so you have a chance to really get to know him. 

There are many who profess to be Christians; however, they have no real clue who this Jesus of ours is. They may have heard of him; they may know about him; but, they wouldn't recognize his voice if he spoke to them because they don't know him. There is a difference between knowing who Jesus is and knowing Jesus. Knowing Jesus is about having a relationship with him. His sheep will hear his voice and answer. His friends will hear his voice and answer. 

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. (Rev 3:20)

Answer the door and let him in so that you might have a relationship with the living God; the Almighty God, our LORD and Savior. Do not be afraid. He is there for you in the storms that you encounter. Let him into your boat, open the door, and let him in. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Realm Of the Spirit; The Abiding Presence of Christ

Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.  (Rom 8:8-10 NIV)

We often hear that someone is going to heaven because they are such good people. The reality is that without Jesus none of us are good. We are only made righteous because of his sacrifice on the cross for us. Without faith in him and in the power of his blood, we cannot be made righteous. 

No matter how many good works one might strive to do, unless Christ abides in you, your good works will not please God. The Spirit of Christ is knocking at the door of your heart. God does not desire for anyone to be lost. Open the door! Let him in! Let the Spirit of Christ abide in you that the whole world might know of his love and his peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Invite Strangers

Is the stranger truly welcomed?

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."  John 6:32-33 NIV

Friends, Strangers, and Angels at the Table is the sermon title for this Sunday. The lessons this morning speak of being hospitable. Jesus points out that we are to welcome strangers to our table. We might think we are welcoming people; because, we all get along with each other. That is we welcome those whom we already know. But, what happens when a stranger comes into our midst? What happens when a stranger comes knocking at our door?

As Jesus welcomes all people to his table, let us invite and welcome anyone and everyone who might cross our paths to eat with us; whether at home or at the table set for us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. The Epistle lesson for this morning is: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16