Come Lord Jesus
Scripture References
Acts 1:12-26
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Revelation 22:1-20
The River of Life
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Jesus Is Coming
6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” 7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
John 17:20-26
The High Priestly Prayer
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Do You Read The Last Page First?
It’s been a while since I have found a book that I just couldn’t put down. I recall utilizing each spare moment being captivated by the plot. Emotions running high through the activities of compelling characters… Fully engaged in the dialog… Then the anticipation of how it might all unfold. Will it end “Happily ever after?” I will have to wait and see…
With those of you that can relate, I have a question for you. Do you suppose it would spoil the experience if you would read the ending first? Some of you might do just that. In fact, I happen to know someone that does. She will read the last page or so first and then turn back to the beginning. I couldn’t help but ask, “Why would you do that?” Not that it matters to me, but her reasonings include that it removes uncertainties, gives a better understanding of the theme, and enhances the overall experience of the book.
Do you go along with that? Not me… I could never understand how this would not spoil the experience… That is until I was preparing for this sermon today. Now I have read the Bible from front to back more than once, but I have never read the last page first.
I suddenly realized the prayer at the end of Revelation, in a sense, removes uncertainties, gives a better understanding of the theme, and enhances the overall experience of the book. Highlighted by the prayer at the end… Come Lord Jesus. Amen.
Holy Spirit?
I never really thought about this ancient prayer that awaits on the last page until now. Not only that, but there is also a happily forever joy of knowing the truth in this prayer has been answered with a resounding “Yes.” A much-needed reminder for us all, that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega… He is right here… right now… and has been since our beginning and will be till our end. He has come. And continues to come through the blessed and gentle Holy Spirit… and John continues to write on the last page of Revelation… the spirit who has been poured out says “Come!” The Bride, that is the church of Christ, says “Come!” And Jesus’ words of the eternal promise for all believers who thirst for living water, He says… “Surely, I am coming soon.”
I admit. I’m going to have to change my mind on reading the last page first. Jesus has come and will come again. A great enlightenment to make the rest of the book come alive. From the creation to the Old Testament prophecies, covenants, and exiles. It even enhances the Gospel message of Jesus death and resurrection. All helping to identify the theme in the book of how the Holy Spirit is working in and through us each day.
But truth to be told… how much do we really know about this Spirit?
When Jesus first appeared to His disciples after the resurrection, John records in chapter 20 verse 22 that Jesus, “breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”” The disciples were finding out what the role of the Holy Spirit will become, and it is during this time for us to be reminded as well.
A Time Of Waiting
That is the intent of the church year. To peel back one layer at a time, like an onion they say, to reveal our triune God. As you are aware, since the beginning of the church year we have followed the steps of Jesus during His earthly life to the ultimate climax of Easter. These Sundays after Easter then find us, along with the disciples, trying to figure out how to deal with the resurrection.
So, here we are this 7th Sunday of Easter that places our lesson between the Ascension of our Lord and Pentecost. A transition from “He is risen” to “we shall arise” … and what it really means when we pray… “Come Lord Jesus,” and how the Holy Spirit will work in our life.
Now, if we look once again at the previous Sundays after Easter, we have been given several accounts of Jesus appearing to the Disciples… preparing them for the daunting task of entering the mission field without His physical presence. This is climaxed prior to our first reading today in Acts, where the disciples are left staring up at the sky, hoping to have one last glimpse of Jesus as He ascends into the clouds. But Jesus has told them to wait. Just hang out and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. (We will hear more about that gift next week).
But, for now… what do you suppose we do with this uncomfortable waiting period? The days between the ascension on the fortieth day… to when the tongue of flames blazed on the heads of the disciples on the fiftieth day. For us, like the disciples, we can use this time to ponder. To look back at the gift God did give us through His Son’s death on the cross, then look forward to that last page again and pray “Come Lord Jesus.”
What Would It Be Like Without The Holy Spirit?
This foresight is what complements the readings in Acts and John today. In the Gospel of John 17, The disciples were gathered on the night Jesus was betrayed. The disciples were together as they listened to Jesus pray. He prayed for the future of His followers and the strength they will have through unity. Jesus prays the disciples would be able to remain unified after He is gone, therefore preparing them to be a witness to the world that He is indeed the one sent from God. All the while knowing full well that soon He will be betrayed and soon die.
In the Epistle of Acts, the disciples and others find themselves in the upper room. Talking about what transpired that same night… the betrayal by Judas. Knowing somehow God was going to use this tragedy for a greater good. They decide to use this time of waiting to unify like Jesus prayed for a few weeks earlier, by appointing another disciple.
Our time of waiting looks a little different than it did to the disciples. We know how the story ends. But on this day of remembering and waiting, we must sit back for a moment and quiz ourselves… What would it be like without the Holy Spirit?
Are we caught looking up in the clouds like the disciples? Wondering if Jesus will come back to care for those affected by extreme storms, tornadoes, or fires? Is the Holy Spirit absent in my life when things are not going so well? When I pray “Come Lord Jesus,” how long should I wait?
Is The Holy Spirit Necessary?
It is on this day we are to wrap our arms around these questions. Daring to ask yet another… Is the Holy Spirit necessary? Now I know the Trinity is hard to comprehend and we are not expected to fully understand it. You have also probably heard many analogies that attempt to explain it. But I would like to compare the Holy Spirit to an extension cord. Without that bit of wire and insulation, my light, my radio, my tools don’t really work. They are capable of functioning just fine but not empowered.
Furthermore, we must also keep in mind that the Spirit does not make the forgiveness or the life which I need. He brings it to me. It is Jesus who died on the cross, not the Spirit. But without the Spirit… bear with me… without the Spirit, the Cross, the empty tomb, and the joy of Easter would be just a historical event. A truth which happened long ago. That would make the prayer “come Lord Jesus,” on that last page a message to someone other than me.
It takes the Spirit to make me into one of the folks for whom Jesus died… to connect me to Calvary and the Word which gives life to the One who died there. It is the Spirit who makes my heart sing in praise of Jesus, who plants and tends the relationship we label faith. Can you imagine what things might be like without that Spirit?
The Example Of Corri ten Boom
Do you remember the life story of Corrie ten Boom? She is known for her courage and faith during the Holocaust. Along with her family, they hid many Jews from the persecution of the Nazis. Surprisingly she lived to tell her story. What I find quite interesting is that in Corrie ten Boom’s writings, particularly in her book “The Hiding Place,” she offers numerous stories highlighting the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. She emphasizes how the Spirit guided her and others through immense suffering, providing comfort, strength, and a clear understanding of God’s love even in dire circumstances. Her real-life events showcase the Spirit’s role in fostering forgiveness, enabling spiritual resilience, and offering a glimpse of God’s grace.
If you can relate, even in part, to the message of Corrie ten Boom, then you can understand how things can be seen differently with the work of the Holy Spirit. The more I really think about it, the world I share, the forgiveness I give, and the loving relationships I nurture in Christ become eternal things because of the Spirit within me. By praying “Come Lord Jesus,” that is what gives me a spiritual cardiac thump by the One who grants real life.
I bring forth this awareness with Corrie’s example during this time of waiting for a reason. So we may take a serious look at answering the “why” question. Why we need the Holy Spirit in our life. We ask why we need the Holy Spirit working in the Church. And why the world, whose crud and pollution makes us grieve, needs to know this Holy Spirit for any possible hope in Christ.
Jesus Is Praying For You
It is also why we must take a closer look at the Gospel lesson in John again. Jesus is also praying for you. You are one with Christ… He is in you… He loves you… And if you truly desire to be one with Christ… Unified with our Triune God… Then you will be united with the Holy Spirit who sanctifies… makes you holy… the one who nudges you and I to pray Come Lord Jesus.
Now, if you are still wondering what to do in this time of waiting. Listen to the Holy Spirit and tell those that might be stuck in the muck that Jesus is coming for them too. Just look at how the Holy Spirit worked through Corry ten Boom… What measures you take, no matter how small, will then become part of God’s great love for this world which will end up in a new heaven and a new earth.
So, as you stare into the sky and reflect on Christ’s ascension, pay heed to the message provided on this day from Peter and John. For there we find truth that those of us who believe in our Triune God and the role of the Holy Spirit, are righteous because our robes were washed in the blood of the lamb. Not because we got it right, but because our sins are washed by the blood of Jesus. Shed on the cross for our forgiveness. It is by His wounds we are healed.
All this becomes real in our life with the prayer on the last page.
Come Lord Jesus
When we pray “Come Lord Jesus,” we recognize the sacrifice. We understand the promise. And we know the Holy Spirit is among us connecting all the dots. That is the “how and why” we can see Jesus! That is why it is necessary to understand the gift given to us through the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus ascended into the clouds, He was not absent. He is not absent now either. He is right here, right now, with us in Spirit. Jesus gives us this assurance on this day of waiting. He is in us, and we are in Him. Jesus really means it when He says He will come again. This is what we confess, and this is what God accomplishes each time we extend our hand at this alter and receive the sacrament. The Holy Spirit is in us… Not only here, but when we leave this place.
Pay attention to the things hidden in plain sight when you enter the mission field. Look to the left and look to the right… you will see Christ. All because these blessings have been energized and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
My friends, on our day of waiting, I encourage you to let the prayer on the last page come first in everything you do. Your story will be like a book you just can’t put down. Come Lord Jesus… And let the Holy Spirit electrify each day as you remain united with our Lord and Savior. United as citizens of eternal glory. This is your story, now let these words from Jesus…“Surely I am coming soon…” be your happily ever after,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen