Tonight, John 14 is giving me strength. A part of the chapter hit me tonight, that has not done so before. Sure, there is “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me…in My Father’s house…I’ll come back for you (paraphrased)” (v. 1-4), the huge, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (v. 6). There’s the revealing the Father, answering prayers, the Holy Spirit, love, and the giving of peculiar peace. However, the thing that sticks out tonight, is the last statement of the chapter. Jesus said, “I am going away so that the world may know that I love the Father. Just as the Father commanded Me, so I do.” Then He says, “Get up; let’s leave this place.”
“Get up”
It’s time to be propelled into action. Once you know your identity at Jesus’ feet – abiding, it’s time to move. To step out. To obey.
“It’s time to leave this place.”
Not that this place is bad. It’s just that your destiny lies in obedience. The Christian life is not just “what is Jesus saying?” it is “what are you going to do about it?”
God told Abram to go into his destiny. He told Joshua to “be strong and courageous” as he led Israel into their destiny. And that night, Jesus turned to His confused proteges and said, “Get up; it’s time to leave this place.” They would watch what that meant, and eventually they would imitate Him.
What is He saying to you?
And what are you going to do about it?