In the account of Jesus dying on the cross, we reach the climax where he says, 'It is finished!' [ John 19:30]. But what is finished? Is it his mission on the earth, his responsibilities towards the people of Israel or just generally an accomplishment of what God wanted him to do?
I believe it is some of the above but why should we care?
If you need to know if Jesus is still on the job now (as I do) or if he is 'retired' and just telling you to do 'stuff', then this question needs answering.
Jesus promised his disciples he would not leave them as Orphans [John 14:18 -19], and in Matthew 28:20 he said, 'surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age'; So we know Jesus promised to be with us till the very end of the world! We also know he kept his promise because he sent his (Holy) Spirit whom we experience today.
This Spirit of Jesus is available to us now, we just need to ask!
As he said, '' If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13
Will you ask now? Trust that he hears you and will keep his promise.
So what is Jesus doing right now? We have his spirit but he is physically in heaven, so what is he doing?
He is preparing our place (position) in His Kingdom and ensuring we get to go where he went. John 14:2-3
He does this now by:
Pruning (cleaning) us by his words i.e. instructions and teachings in the scripture and from his Spirit that lives in us. John 15: 1-3, Ephesians 5:25 -30
Praying i.e. speaking on our behalf in God's presence in heaven. Hebrews 7:25
Speaking through other Believers, as we gather, to strengthen and encourage us on our journey Hebrews 3:13, Matthew 18:20
Let s take a closer look at the first: Pruning- John 15: 1-4
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.''
This is a responsibility that YHWH still carries on today through Jesus. Though the sacrifice of Jesus paid for our sins, he still takes the time to actually clean us from them, So it's not just the punishment he wants to free us from, he frees us from the ways in which they stop us from being the perfection YHWH designed us to be. He cleans us. The original Greek word used for 'clean' also means 'prune'.
So how are we pruned to be more like how he wants us to be and to do what he does? By his teachings.
As he said to his disciples, 'You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you''. However, as you read on, he tells them this cleaning is an ongoing process that ensures they are 'fruitful' but it can only work if they 'Remain' in him.
The word 'remain' used means to stay continually close. He was very clear that this was vital to the success of their relationship.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.'' John 15:5 -6
I want to encourage you that pruning is essential and is being done as we listen to what the Spirit of Jesus tells us. He directs and corrects us so that we may continually remain in close union with him and nothing gets in the way of our relationship with him. He knows this is the only way we can become all the Father planned for us to be. Please make time for Jesus.
He will keep us standing and producing fruit in him as we do this one thing repeated in Revelation2 and 3 :
''Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.''
Jesus speaks by his Spirit in the Bible and in us. As we listen to his rebuke and discipline, we open to change and realign ourselves with his direction. As he knocks at the door and we hear his voice, we open our hearts to welcome the intimacy of his close fellowship. These are his present acts of love, preserving us continually in our call as children of YHWH - his very own beloved sisters and brothers.
''To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.'' Jude 1:24
''Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.'' Revelation 3:19-20
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