Ready for Some Good News?

Written by Ian Jannaway

We concluded our conversation on ‘the Jesus I never knew’ with some points that are relevant for us to consider today. The foremost thought was that Jesus has always been with us from the beginning and has not left us alone. He has brought us the ‘good news’ of the gospel (truth).

 
From the first book of the bible, Genesis, to the last book 66  books later, Revelation, He has been with us! In Mathew 3:16 we see this-

 
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him

 
From this point Jesus turns love on its head, we are told to love our enemies, as well as those who are oppressed or disenfranchised.

 
Jesus knew that he would not always be with us but there was a succession process in place,


The father was with them in the beginning, Jesus was here with the disciples, and the Holy spirit was to come after him. But he had to go first! He said this-

 
John 16:7-

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

 
We see that Jesus sets the succession plan in progress here in John 20:22

 
And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit”.

 
The word spirit comes from the Hebrew ‘ruach’ which means wind or breath. Look at this verse from Acts 2:1-4

 
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…

 
After Jesus died he sent the Holy Spirit to be with us, and he is not limited to time and space as was Jesus, he can turn up any time in any way he chooses to!

 
If we are believers in Jesus this Holy spirit rests in us, but what are we to do with it?

Jesus did not LEAVE us on mission, through the power of the Holy Spirit, he LEADS us on mission. We have access to Jesus and his power but we need to make the most of this gift.


If you are a believer in Jesus how are you going to use this relationship this week?

Comment below!