Tuesday Thought -- April 22, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” (Acts 1:9-11)

My three favorite words in all the promises about the Second Coming are in the passage above  -- in what the angels told the disciples. My favorite words are: “this same Jesus.” The angels are telling us Who is coming and what He’ll be like! The One who is coming at the end of the age is the same Jesus that we read about in the Gospels. Now that’s good news.

This same Jesus -- the One John told us created everything. He’ll be bringing His creative power with Him when He comes again.

This same Jesus -- the One who invited all the weary and burdened to come to Him and He’d give them rest.

This same Jesus -- the One who had compassion on the simple need of the bridal couple who ran out of wine at their wedding.

This same Jesus -- the One who loved people enough to heal their sicknesses -- and who had the power to do it.

This same Jesus -- whose very word could raise Lazarus from the dead.

This same Jesus -- who would give whatever it takes to save those He loved -- even if it included a cross.

This same Jesus -- wise enough to confound all of His enemies.

This same Jesus -- who could calm the storm and still the raging sea.

Think of all the things that Jesus did that are recorded in the Gospels – it is the same Jesus who did all those things who will be coming back. He’ll still be able to do all those things -- and more -- when He comes again.

Think of all the characteristics that Jesus displayed when He walked the earth -- all the love, the humility, the kindness, the patience. It’s the same Jesus who will be coming back. He’ll still have those same characteristics when He comes again.

When He was here the first time, He drew little children to Him by the kindness He displayed. He drew the needy to Him by the compassion and power He had. He drew the weary and burdened. He drew the sinners. And when He comes again He’ll still have those same characteristics that drew so many to Him then.

I’m looking forward to seeing Him. This same Jesus whose life story has already drawn me to Him!

His, by Grace,

Steve