Life This Side of Heaven

"Say, 'Ah.'” Those two words may fill you with dread if you’re sitting in a dentist’s chair. You’re being asked to open your mouth so that they may see inside. Isaiah’s mouth must have opened wide all by itself when he was given a vision of God seated in glory.

Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came to visit Jesus at night, may have felt at first that what Jesus told him sounded like a riddle. He said something that left him puzzled, and it may still leave some puzzled today. He described something that only God Himself can accomplish.

Confessing our Savior may mean risking everything, our comfort, our popularity, our standing and our place among family, friends and community, but it's worth it. He's worth it.

From humble beginnings it has now spread across the globe. And many years ago it was decided that a useful way to tell people about it, and distinguish it from all others, would be to summarize it in a few, well-chosen words. These words have become so familiar that many people even have them memorized. And that may include you.

When families gather to enjoy supper, the words of Psalm 145:15-16 are often spoken as the table prayer before the meal. They remind us that our food comes as a gift from God’s hand.  But they may also raise some questions.

The key moment in any mystery movie comes when the summation takes place. The main character will describe the crime and then point their finger at the one who has been found guilty. Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus noted that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict the entire world. However, unlike the summation in a mystery movie, it doesn't end there. He goes on to point to the innocent ... the innocent suffering and death of our Savior in whom we have salvation through faith.

God knows that we are all unique individuals from different places, different backgrounds and different life experiences. We don’t look the same and we don’t sound the same. Those in Jerusalem who heard Peter on the Day of Pentecost didn’t cease to be individuals. But the events of that day remind us that remarkably, in Christ God has made us one.

What is your “heart language”? That term is often used to describe the language that a person speaks and understands better than any other.  It’s the language that you think in and which speaks to your heart. God knows yours.

With a remarkable vision, God showed the prophet Ezekiel that despite how hopeless their situation appeared, He would breathe new life into them with the coming of the Savior.  And this is remarkable good news for you and me as well. 

This week, as you and I celebrate Pentecost and the fulfillment of God’s promise to pour out His Spirit on all people, we hear Jesus say, “He will witness about Me.” However, you may be wondering, “What is there left to know about our Savior than we haven’t already heard and learned from His Word?” What exactly is it that the Holy Spirit does?