I wonder if there’s anybody who doesn’t have some kind of hope or desire. I dare to say all humans have them, including children. Desire is the conscious impulse towards something that promises enjoyment or satisfaction in its attainment; it is the longing and craving for something.
But does Jesus have a desire? Why? After all, He’s God and can make anything happen, so why should He desire anything? Yet, surprisingly, Jesus does have a desire, and for a very good reason. That desire is so important to Him that He prayed about it. He prayed to the Father, “Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!” (John 17:24). Jesus’ desire is to have others be a part of His celebration in heaven someday!
Jesus’ desire is not so far-fetched. We do that all the time ourselves. Don’t we send out invitation cards to graduation celebrations, weddings, and retirement celebrations, etc.? Sure we do! But why? Because we want loved ones and friends to share our joy. Victories and successes aren’t that enjoyable when you are by yourself.
Jesus came to earth to fulfill the Father’s will (see John 17:4, 18). As we read from the Scriptures, it wasn’t an easy assignment, but He did it! He has since gone back to heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, surrounded by all this beauty and glory! It’s just right that Jesus should want His friends to celebrate with Him. His prayer was not only about the disciples He had then, but for all disciples since then, and that includes you and me. Jesus defines friends as the ones who obey Him: “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). What an amazing thought that Jesus is waiting for us, His friends, so He can show us around, to give us a grand tour of the heavenly city. It is made of pure gold, with walls of jasper, streets of gold, gates of pearls, and the clear as crystal River of Life, and all those mansions He promised to prepare for us! (See Revelation 21; 22 & John 14:2-3)
Let’s remember that Jesus is still praying for us; He is our advocate before the Father, and any time the devil accuses us of anything, He steps in to defend and declare us forgiven, based on his suffering. “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins-and not only our sins but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2:1-2). I believe He’ll continue to pray until we see Him face to face and cast our crowns at His feet!
If this is unclear, I’ll explain. God loves you very much and desires to have a personal relationship with you, but your sin is in the way. He is a holy God, and unless your sin is out of the way, it will be impossible to establish that relationship with you. God, therefore, sent His Son, Jesus, to pay for your sins and mine as well. Anyone who repents and puts their trust in Jesus is forgiven and made a child of God. Would you like to be a child of God? I encourage you to pray and ask God to forgive you in Jesus’ name. Once you do, what you read earlier in this article will make more sense to you.
Jesus is in heaven, desiring for you to have faith in Him now, in this life, so someday when this life is over, He’ll have the opportunity to give you a tour of heaven, where all His children will live with Him forever. Please don’t let this opportunity pass you by because if you miss it, you have by default chosen to spend eternity in hell. (See Revelation 20:15)
Brothers and sisters, let’s share Jesus’ heart desire with all who will listen. It is important, and it is urgent. Jesus is coming soon!
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