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Listen while you read: "We Gather Together"1
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Mark 6:32-33 – So [Jesus and His disciples] went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. (NIV)
I wonder, if we knew where Jesus was going to be one day, somewhere in our community, would we leave everything we were doing and run ahead to that place to greet Him? Would we look forward to seeing Him in person to listen to His stories, perhaps watch a miracle or two, and wonder at His deep understanding about life, the universe, and everything?
I hope that one day, we will all get that opportunity to be with Jesus in person. For most of us, if not all of us, it will take place in the heavenly realms beyond this life. However, every week, we get the opportunity to meet with Jesus in spirit when we intentionally gather to worship Him, to hear His teachings, and to pray to Him. We call that gathering place "church", and it occurs on Sunday mornings to commemorate and celebrate the fact that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, which many call "the Lord's Day".
Many African-American preachers get excited about worshipping Christ in church. On a particular Sunday in the past, at the end of a heavy, burdensome, and troubled week, they would remind their parishioners that "It's Friday — but Sunday's coming!" — to let them know that, just as Christ died apparently hopelessly on the cross one Friday, no matter what they were going through or had recently endured, come Sunday, the hope of Christ would once again be resurrected in their hearts to lift them beyond their despair and prepare them for a time when all His beloved will be embraced, accepted, and welcomed by God through Christ.
So, Sunday's coming, and Christ's Spirit will be among us at church. Are you ready to run ahead and joyfully meet Him there?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we want to greet You and welcome You into our lives. So we look forward to being with You in person and in Spirit. In Your holy name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.
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About the author:
John Stuart <traqair@aol.com>
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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Thank you.
Amen, John.
Thanks for today’s devotional.
Thank you, enjoy your devotionals!
Most hearty Advent greetings to you.
Thank you, John. We always appreciate your devotionals!
Thanks. New meaning to TGIF. Great way to think of Sunday.
John,
A very encouraging devotion. Thank you very much.
Amen, John. Eventually, we shall all see Jesus either with fear and trembling or with overwhelming joy! Blessings.
Thank you, John, an encouraging devotional: what an inspiring way for the pastors to tell people: “it is Friday, but Sunday is coming”.
O thank you John for another magnificent look at God’s promises and help! I always smile when I see your name on the devotional.
Thank you, John. I often wonder if I would have recognized who Jesus really was if I had lived on earth in Bible times. Thankfully, I meet with Him now!
Thank you! this goes with our sermon coming this Sunday… God’s timing!
My father used to use that saying… it’s Friday now but hang on, Sunday’s coming! It has always lifted my spirit! I haven’t heard it since he went to be with the Lord several years ago… so I was blessed to see (hear) it again. I think I am going to start saying.
Thank you very much.
Greetings John,
Many thanks for this very mindful devotional today. Yes, Sunday is always a special day to gather with our church family and give praise all together to our Lord and mighty Saviour. He is ever present to us and definitely deserves our praise at any time and any day, but we do feel an extra joy worshipping with our fellow believers. Blessings for these special writings you do.
John Stuart, I enjoy your devotions. I have enjoyed them for many years, and they always talk to me – in my language. They always give me that ‘feel good’ feeling at the start of my day.
So many times, as I read along, I feel lifted and ministered to, and then when I get to the end of the devotional, I can’t help but smile as I realize that once again it is John Stuart who is speaking to me!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your words of faith and encouragement.
Good morning, John,
I have often wondered if I had been alive at the time Jesus was on the earth if I would have recognized him as our Saviour. I do not know the answer to that question. It is a similar question to the one you ask, except if Jesus appeared now, we might know of his life before and be more prepared to “run ahead”. Of course, I still could not say for certain what I would do.
Your devotional makes us reflect and think. I can see the value in the words “It’s Friday – but Sunday’s coming!” because at times we all need the hope that Jesus has saved us from our sins in order for us to be righteous and can have a close relationship with God. The hope of being with Jesus at the end of our life on earth is powerful. I love your expression of “cheerfully” pray because many times I pray more seriously, and I should be more joyful.
May you continue to inspire us and the song “We gather together” fits your message perfectly. Blessings.
Thank you, John, for your daily devotion of today.
Yes, ever since I was very young, I enjoyed running ahead to see who ever was coming down again.
I remember our Princess Elizabeth when she visited Canada as a Princess newly married; and I remember the Pope when he visited Canada.
In fact my brother and I even followed the crowd into the cathedral and listened to the service.
It was in the evening, and they passed out rolls of bread to all who came and we, who have not had supper, enjoyed one each.
When Jesus was moving about, the crowds gathered and followed. How privileged they were to see and listen to his teachings.
Today I read as much as I can from all the stories, that scholars have written that they have done some research on those times.
I have had the honor to have been able to read, though I was a lousy student when I was a youth.
The privilege I have today is to tell the same stories to our youths in our community (Sunday School and Youth Groups) of how we have been blessed with his coming and died for us.
I enjoyed all your submissions and look forward to reading them.
Thank you and may God bless you,
(Quebec Canada)