In this world of anxiety, turmoil, war, hate, death, darkness, evil, and every form of horror imaginable—it’s AMAZING that we, as born again believers, have the ability to create a little piece of Heaven on earth for ourselves and for others. Even when life may seem like a preview of hell, Christ gives us the opportunity to have His mindset and create the peace of Heaven.
In Christ, we may possess the things money can’t buy and thieves can’t steal—the fruit of His Spirit—love, joy, and peace!
Jesus said He went to prepare a place for born again believers and simultaneously commanded us to live without our heart weighted by trouble:
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
John 14:1-4
When Jesus gave this promise, He was in the midst of preparing for His own horrific crucifixion! Yet He was compassionately giving the disciples reasons for hope and peace. This is a marvelous manifestation of the degree of His supernatural love and compassion. He set a standard for us to live by through His remarkable example of complete selflessness and lack of self-pity. He KNEW what lay ahead for Himself—the pain and torture—as well as the terrible separation from His Father—in order to pay for our sin. Yet, He was concerned for the comfort of His disciples.
The example of Christ’s compassion is simply mind blowing!
I don’t know about you, but I can barely conceive such selflessness. I think about when I’ve gone through hard times and have barely been able to take care of myself—much less anyone else. However, Jesus obviously thought it possible for us to possess this completely self-sacrificing love, because in the preceding chapter He COMMANDS:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
If Jesus COMMANDS us to love like HE does, then He will ENABLE US to DO it! We CAN be in the midst of our own pain and hardship but yet also create peace and hope for others. Wow! Talk about an amazing opportunity to be a part of a supernatural work of love! In Christ, we get to be the contrast of light to the darkness. We can shine the hope of Heaven. We can provide a place of shelter in the storm, a delightful meal in a famine, a promise of hope even through our own tears, and most importantly, we can always share the gift of salvation to those who are headed for eternal death.
But it’s impossible for us to give others a piece of Heaven unless we possess a strong sense of the presence of Christ. We must be born again. We must live in loving obedience and be acutely aware that…
We can’t give Jesus—without Jesus.
With Jesus as our center, we WILL demonstrate His love. What does this look like? Well, when we love like Jesus, we prepare a welcome. In love, expectant parents prepare a room for their baby. With love, a hostess prepares for her guests. Jesus planned to prepare a place for His people because He loves us. We also should PLAN to create a loving space for others. We should be staggered and amazed by this thought:
Christ PLANNED His own DEATH to prepare a place for us.
Jesus wasn’t taken to the cross—He planned it before the world began—so we could be with Him. This thought should compel us to engage in intentionally planned love for others.
What a great opportunity Jesus gives us to live each day in self-sacrificing love!
Of course, our sacrifice will never come close to what Jesus did; but it can surely inspire us! And we, in turn, can inspire others. Take my parents, for example. Mom and dad taught all eight of us children that our house was the place where people were welcome. It didn’t matter whether you were the president or an orphan—they prepared a welcome. Mom and dad’s house is still this place. In fact, even now, in their 70’s, they still host a dinner and Bible study on Friday nights. My mom cooks for over 20 people—mostly singles—and they have great fellowship around deep discussions and study of God’s Word. Because Jesus is in their heart, they create the welcome of Heaven. Their example continues to influence all of us—even our own children!
My friend, what an opportunity God has given us to have the influence of Heaven. When we belong to Christ, nothing we have belongs to us. And why would we hold on to what we can’t take with us? Today is an opportunity to use what we have been given by God to bring a little Heaven to earth.
When Jesus is the Lord of our life, we know He is our piece of Heaven to share with others!
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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