How to Live Confidently- Last Day of the Series

For the past few days, we have focused on answering the question, “How can we live confidently in a chaotic world?” The scripture has taught us that we can live confidently if we follow the 5 “C’s”…we must remember that God is in CONTROL and in CHARGE as we surrender to his will….believe that God is COMPASSIONATE and his love sustains us through all of life’s calamities….find solace as we experience that God is CALM and has never been caught unaware….take heart in the knowledge that God is CONSISTENT and is the same for each of us; past, present and future.

But most of all, I believe we can, as the children of God, live confidently because of our Savior’s COMMITMENT…His unfailing promise to love us unconditionally and eternally. As always, Jesus’ own words say it best; “Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, you may be also.” John 14:1-3 ESV

Jesus could not bear the thought of living without you and me…so even though He would have to return to Heaven after his glorious resurrection, He shared with his disciples (and us) on that fateful night that HE WAS COMING BACK!!!!  Yes, Jesus committed his life to the Father’s will and to his own personal destruction….and in his last act of commitment found in Acts 1:9-11, we read…

“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white robes and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Jesus has promised …has made the commitment …to come back and get those of us who are called by his name…and Jesus never lies!!!

There is, however, even more proof that Jesus is coming back …just as He promised …in the story that follows…the story of THE FOLDED NAPKIN….

At the tomb of Jesus, we see John out race Peter and arrive at the grave site first. He peers in, but does not enter. Then, Simon Peter arrives, enters and sees the grave clothes lying there; but the napkin that covered our Savior’s face was not with the grave clothes; rather, it was neatly folded and resting in a place by itself. The natural question was,

Why did Jesus fold the napkin?

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to-do with the Master and Servant…and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly with everything in exactly the right place so the Master would be pleased; then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating. The servant would dare not touch the table until he was sure that the master was finished. Then, if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, clean his beard and then, he would wad up the napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded-up or unfolded napkin meant, “I’M DONE!”  But, if the master got up from the table, folded his napkin and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because.....

The folded napkin meant....I’M COMING BACK!!!!!

Praise God in Heaven…..He’s Coming Back to Redeem His Own.

I trust that today this little story holds great significance for you because you know Jesus as your personal Savior. He promised ….he has made a holy commitment to come back and take us to be with him. Even in His resurrection moment, He confirmed by the folded napkin His promise that HE IS COMING BACK...and I, for one, can’t wait!

Clinging to the Hope …Living Confidently in a Chaotic World,

 WPQ

 

Poem for the day...

Jesus left this earthly orb

Into the skies He did rise;

Right before the ones He loved

Into the morning skies.

 

And as they stood there looking

Unsure of what to do?

Two men in white said to them,

"One day He's coming back for you!"

 

So if you call on Jesus’ name

Then believe this simple fact.

He has gone to prepare a place for us;

But soon, HE’S COMING BACK!

 

WPQ © MAY 2018