Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them
John 14:23-29
Here is a thought that might scare you. Jesus is coming into your home today! How do you receive the Holy One, the Son of God into your home?
I mean I am a mess, and I need a couple days to get ready. I have to de-clutter and there must be “ump-teen” different programs, books, and podcasts, on how to declutter. I need to clean up, run the vacuum and to dust before Jesus can come into my home. I dusted once and the dust came back. I wasn’t going to dust anymore, now I must clean.
I have a dog, Buddy, a one year old dachshund who barks at the wind. I don’t want him barking at Jesus and God as they come into my home? That seems weird. He will need to be put in his crate in the laundry room. I’ve got to pick up and put away and organize and get ready.
I have clean bedsheets spread out over some chairs to finish drying, how do you make a bed for Jesus? Lord, forgive me! I sound like Martha in a “Mary world!” (Luke 10: 38-42). Help me to slow down all the rush and to welcome you as I sit at your feet and listen.
In this week’s Gospel, John 14:23-29, Jesus is continuing to teach before his Ascension. (Many churches celebrate Ascension Day, the 26th of May). He tells the disciples “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them!” (Exclamation point mine). Make your home with me?
I believe, my brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus is already here in our homes. Jesus/God is already present, knows all our clutter and messiness of life. Jesus sees what we shouldn’t be seeing and knows what we say and do. And, despite all our sinful nature, comes to us again and again in unconditional love and grace. And we are thankful. Is this Martha-esq world, help us to be like Mary. In the story from Luke 10 Martha is busy with preparations while Mary sits quietly at the Lord’s feet listening. When Martha complains, Jesus affirms what Mary is doing.
Jesus is soon sending the Advocate! (June 5th is the Day of Pentecost). From John 14: 26 “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you.” (John 14: 26)
I don’t know about you, but I need an Advocate, someone on my side. Someone I can draw strength from, pick myself up when I fall, and carry forward. This Advocate comes into our hearts, lives, our homes, our churches, and our Via de Cristo Secretariats/teams/pilgrims. As we hear these words from Jesus in verse 27 of Johns 14th chapter: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
Be at peace my friends! Jesus is already in our homes, no need to rush around and prepare. Jesus is already at the Font, the Table, and the Holy Bible. All we are invited to do is sit at the feet of Jesus and listen.
Jesus is Calling
Listen to God calling you to be on team. Listen to God nudging you to ask your friend, church member, family person to come attend a weekend as a pilgrim. Listen to God saying to you VDC “Alumni” come back. Re-commit. Fill out a team application online or let your local Secretariat people have your new address, email and cell. Listen to God urge you to Texas for our National Gathering in July!
More info at viadecristo.org/annual-gathering/
Jesus is calling all of us, and is sending the Advocate to clear the way, and the peace that passes all understanding to calm anxious, worried hearts. And all God’s people said “Amen!”
Pastor Doug Givan
INKY Secretariat Spiritual Director
National Spiritual Director 2008-2012
douggivan@yahoo.com
Eric is our current Webmaster and works on the NLS Communications Team. Raised in Judaism, he found Christ and the New Testament at age 16 in a Southern Baptist Church. He searched many denominations for the real church, only to find the Holy Spirit is present in all of them. He's worked for One for Israel, a group of native Israeli believers who are sharing the gospel in the holy land in Hebrew and is part of the only Hebrew speaking seminary in Israel.
