Do you ever read something that sticks in your mind for days on end? It is amazing how one sentence can continue to speak and nudge at us.
It’s what happened to me recently.
Jesus prepared His disciples to carry out His mission, teaching them through His words and actions. Here is the one sentence which has been echoing in my thoughts:
“Jesus has been comforting His disciples, telling them not to be afraid or troubled by His imminent departure.”
(from ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, by The Daily Grace Co., page 67
Although Jesus tried to prepare them, telling them what lie ahead for Him and for them, they did not fully understand. They had spent time with Him, heard His words, and seen the many miracles. Yet nothing could fully prepare them.
The use of those words “imminent departure” have returned to my thoughts many times. It was only as we sang a song in church on Sunday did I fully realize why.
Jesus prepared His disciples for His imminent departure.
And today, He is preparing us for His imminent return.
“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 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.” (John 14:2-3, NASB)
How are we to stay prepared for His imminent return? We stay connected to Jesus.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4, NASB)
As we stay connected to the Vine, Jesus, we are being prepared for His return.
We are nourished, strengthened, and grow in Him,
our lives making Him known to those around us.
Every week the posts which are shared bring much food for thought. Last week Michele Morin shared her thoughts on AI – Authentic Intelligence. “Authentic Intelligence is godly wisdom, the desire for God to order all things and to have the preeminence in all we do.” You can read her post in its entirety HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
I have been meditating on Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Though today, I will be pondering imminent departure and imminent return. Thank you, Joanne.
When I realize that the New Testament writers considered Jesus’s return imminent, my own blase attitude toward it seems ridiculous!
I know what you mean about a phrase standing out and staying with you. I love that contrast—that, just as Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure, He’s preparing us for His return.
By the way, Joanne, I don’t see the link-up today. My post is here: https://barbaraleeharper.com/2025/03/23/tending-the-soil-of-your-heart/.
Barbara, I am not sure why you were unable to see the link. I hope you don’t mind but I took the liberty of adding your post. I would not want anyone to miss out on reading your thoughts!
Come, Lord Jesus! I’d rather be looking for His return than His departure. I’d never connected the two like you did today. This brings new enthusiasm to look up.
Joanne, I love the thought of abiding in Jesus, what better way to not miss His return? He is with us always and wants us to know His heart, especially about His imminent return.
Such an important thing to reflect on and keep in mind as we go through each day. It can be so easy to get caught up in the cares and dailyness of this life that we can lose sight of the day we are to be ever preparing for. Never has that been more true when so often we speak of the darkness of this world and all the division and chaos erupting in so many places. Let us not be like the unwise virgins without oil in their lamps.
I remember when an older friend moved out of state. She called to tell me indirectly she was dying. My response was much like the apostles – I didn’t know how to respond. I could only think to encourage. In retrospect, I see how hard she was trying to tell me – and because of my youth and inexperience in how to receive what she was saying, I think both our hearts were frustrated (if that is the right word). We want to encourage life to go on, to lift up – we don’t want to agree the “fight” is lost while we sit and talk with each other.
“Abide in Me” is a phrase I’ve been giving lots of thought to lately. God’s abiding love – enduring, steadfast, consistent, ever present. What a gift to us all and just as His love for us is abiding, we are called to abide in Him with our full heart! May we all be prepared for His imminent return!
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
I find I’m praying this more and more.
Thank you for your faithful encouragement and link-up! God bless you with a great weekend!