COME BACK!!!

"After saying this, [Jesus] was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him." (Acts 1:9, NLT)

In golf, you have often discovered your ball sitting down in the rough. Intent on getting the ball up in the air, you swing just a little harder. What happens? You end up catching a flyer, watching your ball sore over the green, and yelling, "COME BACK!"

The other day I heard those same words from my two-year-old daughter, Jessica. But we weren't playing golf.

Instead, I was reading the Easter story to my daughter before bedtime. I don't know if you have ever thought about this or not, but it sure is interesting trying to teach a two-year-old that Jesus was the Son of God, that He died, was buried, and then rose from dead…and that's why we celebrate Easter. These are some tough topics to discuss with a two-year-old! Yet, I learned so much my daughter that night.

First of all, I was amazed to see the wave of emotions that she experiences through each page of this story--from excitement and joy as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey hearing everyone sing and praise God, to fear and sadness when Jesus is arrested, beaten, hung on a cross, and killed, to relief and exhilaration when Jesus rises from the dead and comforts his disciples.

However, it was my daughter's reaction to the last page of the story that caught me off guard, teaching me so much about the faith of a child. As Jesus ascended into heaven, Jessica's face turned pale, and she yelled out, "NO, JESUS…COME BACK, COME BACK, JESUS!" She thought Jesus was leaving forever!

When I went onto explain that Jesus had to go into heaven to prepare a place for us and then He would return to bring us home with Him, she looked at me with a puzzled face--obviously not understanding the theological implications of this part of the story. But when I said that Jesus would always be with her in her heart, she got a relieved look on her face and smiled, saying, "Jesus…in my heart, Daddy."

I smiled back and said, "Yes, Jesus is in your heart, honey!"

I was so humbled. My two-year-old daughter already knew that life was better when Jesus was close to her--and best when He was in her heart. And she was noticeably upset when it looked like Jesus was going to leave.

What about us? Do we even think about what life would be like without Jesus? Why don't we have the same passion and enthusiasm for Him? The Apostle Paul wrote, "Everything else is worthless when compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8). Let's all learn something from the faith of a child and live life with a passion to have Jesus near us all the time!

If you have never invited Jesus into your heart, perhaps today could be the day. Simply place your trust in Him alone for your salvation and give Him control of your life. He will remain with you always, while also preparing a place for you in heaven!

--

Steve Burdick

April 12, 2006

Copyright 2006 Links Players International

The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.