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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