#16 thoughts from the back deck...after a busy day!

John 14:23

23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

If you have ever experienced the loss of a child...

If you have lost a spouse...

If you lost someone close to you...

You know there are times, hours, even days or months where you barely, if even have any emotional, spiritual, or even physical strength to get out of bed or out of the recliner.  That is what grief does. Grief saps our energy. Depression dumps on us and weighs us down. 

I had a funeral today. This is an evening "Thoughts From the Back Deck".  

The family, as expected, did not have the strength to do much of anything. That is understandable.  What is not understandable is how we often express faith. Usually, we say something like: 

"If you will move closer to Jesus..." 

" If you will accept Jesus into your heart..."

I have stood at many gravesides.

Watched many struggle with grief.

Most don't have the strength to do anything. They can barely make eye contact. Yet they are to move toward Jesus? Really? 

When Lazarus died. Did Mary and Martha go and seek Jesus out or did Jesus come to them and meet them where they are at? (John 11)

In the text today from John 14. Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for his departure. He is engaging them first. In the whole chapter, over and over we see Jesus as the one who moves first. He is the one who does first. "In my Father's house are many rooms...I am going to prepare a place for you...If I go it means I will come back for you... I will send you my Helper...Spirit of truth...I will not leave you as orphans..."

Even in today's verse: Jesus is answering the question of how Jesus will manifest himself to them but not the world. (Who is doing the manifesting? JESUS!) and the response comes from us, we love him and keep his word. 

But who does for us? Who is doing the action? Who is the "do'er"? The Father loves him, the Father will come to him and WE (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) will make our home with them. 

God comes to us and makes his home with us through Jesus. He is the do'er! We are the responder- sometimes. And even if we don't respond,  God still comes. 

Those who were at the funeral today did not respond. They couldn't.  Yet God came to them and comforted them in their grief and sorrow. Comforted them with His Holy Spirit and His word.

Thank you for loving us.

Thank you for coming to us.

Thank you for making your home with us.



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