Do you want reliable information about where you’re headed? Most of us do.
I remember when Julie and I were getting ready to move to Africa. We loved visiting with people who had been there, and most of all, with people who had lived there. We hung on every word, because we knew that one day soon, we would be needing the very information they were giving us.
What if you wanted to go somewhere where you would remain forever? What if we could reliably say only one person has been there before and come back to tell us about it? What if the alternative to going to this place was a horrible — almost unthinkable — alternative?
Would you want to hear what that one person had to say about…
- How to get there?
- How to avoid obstacles that will prevent you from getting there?
- How to help others get there with you?
- What it will be like once you arrive?
I’m talking about heaven, of course. And I’m talking about Jesus. He’s the one person we can reliably say has been there and come here to tell us about it. He wants us to know what he knows about it. Most of all, he wants us to have the answers to all four questions above.
Some people struggle with listening to Jesus on this point. But from experience I can tell you, it’s good to listen to the people who’ve gone there before you have. That’s what Jesus was telling Nicodemus. And that’s what Jesus is saying to you, too.
“No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man” (John 3:13, NIV).
Our Bible reading for Saturday, May 2, is Joshua 21:20 – 22:34, John 3:1-21 and Psalm 55:1-11.
Lord, help me to listen to your voice. You have the words of eternal life.
Header image based on "The Milky Way panorama" by European Southern Observatory, CC By 2.0
pastorjeffgunn 
Sorry, no links for today’s bible passages.
Joshua 21:20-22:34
John 3:1-21
Psalm 55:1-11
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ” (John 3:3 NIV)
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:5-6 NIV)
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. (John 3:13 NIV)
Heavenly Father, you are a god of promises made true. You give me life again in your sacraments. The Holy Spirit, water, and your word have given me access to your kingdom. You have also given me a savior in Jesus. He alone holds my key, my ticket to eternal life. He is my guide to you Father, He makes me new. Your love is eternal Lord, greater than all things I can imagine. Your promises equal your love and I need all the grace you offer.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)
~Paul Montenieri
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