The Lord is Here

Yahweh Shammah, The Lord is There, is this week’s name. Technically, it’s not one of the names of God. It’s the name of Jerusalem during the Millennium, the 1,000 year reign of Jesus on Earth. Oh, it’s going to be glorious!

But the good news is, we don’t have to wait for the Millennium to be with Jesus. The Lord is here.

Jesus came and lived among us 2,000 years ago. But then he went away. Immerse yourself in the familiar story.

Jesus is in the Upper Room, celebrating an early Passover with his disciples.

It was not uncommon for rabbis to celebrate early with family and friends, knowing they would be “on,” tasked with official duties, during the actual Passover. How true that would be for Jesus.

I love John’s account of that sweet time of fellowship. John’s special friendship with Jesus permeates every word, from the washing of the disciples’ feet to Jesus’s prayer committing his friends to the care of the Father. He crams so much instruction and so much comfort into John 13-17. John 16:7 is one of the most poignant verses in the Bible.

Jesus is going to die. His disciples don’t understand. They want things to be different. But Jesus says this,

“But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” – John 16:7

And that’s what happened. Jesus was crucified. He died, laying his life down for us. Listen to the power he commands.

No one has taken it (my life) away from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it back. This commandment I received from My Father. – John 10:18

He was buried. But then, three days later, he rose from the dead.

Selah.

He spent a few incredible weeks with his followers. Then, 40 days later, he ascended to heaven. And on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, Jesus’s Spirit came. In a big, dramatic way.

Every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and he will never leave us or forsake us.

The Lord is Here

-feature image credit biblepics.co