Sunday, August 30, 2009

An additional thought from Jesus' daddy.

Jesus says, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." (John 14:23) Which is beautiful. But what is even MORE beautiful is how perfectly this fits into everything that God is throughout the WHOLE of the Bible
The idea of "making a home with us" is exactly the thought behind the "shekainah" glory in the Old Testament. It was the glory that "filled the temple," and went with Israel, "home" was not here or there, but it was where God dwelled, and that was with THEM. It's cool because the word "Shekainah" actually carries the meaning of "pitching a tent" or "taking up a dwelling," "making a home" and the like. Sometimes we make it so glorious and removed, so... clean and untouchable. But the whole POINT of this word is that it IS touchable. The dwelling, is not removed or high and lofty... it's with us. Here. Revelation 21:3 talks a bit about this glory as well saying, "...the dwelling of God is with men (and women, too), and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." It even goes on to say that "He will wipe every tear from their eyes." High and lofty? Removed? I think not.

And that is the beautiful paradox of the Christian God.

Friday, August 28, 2009

A good thought from Jesus.

"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." - John 14:23

This is beautiful. They will come and make their home with us. How comforting is that? Honestly. This is rest for a weary soul. ;)