Today’s Reading: John 8:21-30, 48-59; Luke 12:35-48, 13:1-5

When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. – Mark 16:19

The disciples enjoyed their time with Jesus but, just as he had foretold, his time with them came to an end. They may not have felt ready, but he had been preparing them for this moment throughout his whole ministry. He told them over and over again that he would go away, and he laid out for them the importance of believing IN him in order to spend eternity WITH him.

YOU MUST BELIEVE

Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come…You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” – John 8:21-24

“…But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” – Luke 13:5b

YOU MUST REPENT

Believing that Jesus is the Messiah is only the first step in finding salvation. Even the demons believe in God (James 2:19). Jesus made it clear that there needs to be a change in direction — that our faith needs to be reflected in our actions. Repent of your old way of life and follow Jesus into a new way. Repent — change direction, do a 180 degree turn, stop the momentum of your bad decisions and head the other way.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? – James 2:14

And when an unbeliever comes to faith in God, repenting of their sins, there is much rejoicing in heaven. Jesus who is eternal, Jesus who had witnessed it firsthand, told his listeners that the angels of God celebrate when the prodigal returns home.

“I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10b

BE READY

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” – Luke 12:35-40

The peace experienced at the ascension of Jesus exists when we hold tight to the promise that He will come again. So believe He is who He said He is, repent of your sins so that your faith is evidenced by your deeds, and be ready for His return.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” – Luke 12:48b