Dear Richie,
Thanks for the question, I gave me the idea for the following devetion;
Where did Jesus Go?
When Richie asked this question and I read Michael�s it reminded me of a story, then most things remind of a story. I look at this question this way;
On the day that Jesus died satan, the big loser, called up his two lieutenants, Grave, and Corruption, sometimes called death. He said to them �Look, I got the Son of God down here and I�ve put him in the deepest, darkest place I could find. After all the years of fighting God, I�ve finally won, I�ve got His son. What am I going to do now? All I know is fighting God, but I�ve won! I think I�ll take some time off, I�ll go on a picnic.�
So he packed a picnic basket full of his favourite foods like, devil cake and devilled eggs and them real hot tacos and started to leave. He turned to Grave and Corruption and said �Listen, while I�m gone I want you to make sure that Jesus does not escape.� Grave said �Look, no worries, anyone I have got I�ve never lost expect for Elijah, I got the sleeves burnt right off my best robe when I tried to get a hold of him. Them fiery chariots are a real bummer.� Anyone old Grave and get, I can hold� said Corruption.� Satan replied � I don�t even a trace of him left when I get back.� So he left for his picnic.
Three days later satan returns and his two lieutenants are looking real nervous. He looks at them and asks, �What happened?� �Well� said Grave �We did have Jesus, but.� �He was a slippery little sucker.� Interrupted Corruption. �I tried to get a hold of Him, but I couldn�t get near Him. I.� Just then there was a load noise from down the longest, darkest corridor in hell. It sounded like doors being flung open.
Just then they saw a small bright light appear and they became every scared because there had never been any real light in hell. The light grow steadily brighter and bigger and the noise became louder and louder. Then they could make out voice singing Praises to God. In the centre of the light they could just make out a tall figure marching straight towards them. As he passed each door they sprung open and the prisoners walked out. Jesus was marching straight for satan.
Grave and Corruption tried to block Jesus, but he pushed them away with very little effort. He walked right up to satan and grabbed him by the collar and shook him three time real hard and said �Hand over them keys, turkey.� Jesus took the keys from the devil and led the captives to freedom.
Today Jesus holds the keys of life and death in his hands. In Revelations 1:18 we read �I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.� Jesus paid a high price for us, His life. He rose again three days later so that no-one would have to be bounded to sin. All we have to do is ask Him to forgive our sins and his Faithful and Just to do it (1 John 1:9, �If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.�). He has led the captives to freedom.
When he ascended into Heaven to sit at the right side of His Father he told us what we must do. He said �Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Mathew 28:18-20). He did not leave us to struggle with this by ourselves, He has given us the Holy Spirit and enabled us with gifts of Power and of Love. Jesus does give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and of self-discipline (2 Tim. 1:7-8a �For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.�). So let us all go and reach, teach and keep people for Jesus.
Amen.
I would like to thank Richie Livingston for his question and a dear friend, Mike Warnke, for the story.
There's a storm coming, our Storm. PROCLAIMING GOD'S LOVE TO A DYING WORLD Say to the captives, 'come out,' and those in darkness, 'Be free!' Isaiah 49:9 Love in Jesus Adrian Bonham aka Morning Light, The Larrikin
I looked to the heavens to where God dwells I looked into my life to see he lives there as well.
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