What Jesus Left Behind
By Marlene Houk
Burke County
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
Recently, after decades of lying in the shadows of obscurity, my cousin sent me an original family letter from over sixty years earlier. What a treasure to see the words! My older sister had written to my mom’s sister-in-law, and her daughter had preserved the envelope, postmarked in 1963.
The letter confirmed what I had told my children about one of my childhood diseases and offered a birds-eye view of life when I was a pre-teen. How precious was that rediscovered letter? The words my mom had dictated to my fourteen-year-old sister (written in cursive) about family life, brought memories rushing back to my mind. I’m glad the letter returned to us because the words on lined notebook paper record my life and family culture, a valued relic from my past.
Often, in my spiritual life, earthly circumstances parallel spiritual analogies. When I understand how God is speaking to me through my life, I grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus (See 2 Peter 3:18.) As I thought about the reclaimed letter, I wondered about what Jesus left behind in His earthly life. While we find no proof of His writing—other than His writing in the sand (See John 8:8.)—He did leave us the Bible. Often, when a famous person dies, their possessions rise swiftly in value and significance. What tangible possessions and even invisible legacies such as influences did Jesus leave behind when He ascended to heaven? Let’s consider a few.
Mary, Jesus’ mother must have cherished any of His clothing and pieces He had fashioned as the earthly child of a carpenter. Perhaps she treasured his family cup from which he drank often, or maybe she tenderly stored the swaddling clothes from His birth. But, most of all, we know she kept His words and memories of her life-altering experiences. Although still a mystery to her, she remembered her amazing part in Jesus’ earthly life. Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”
Along with Mary, we can ponder the things Jesus left for us. We have Jesus’ letter to us, preserved in His Word. In the treasures of the Bible, we, like my family letter, find ourselves totally absorbed by looking into the mirror of the Scriptures. The divinely inspired words offer life in abundance, strength to live for the Lord, and the promise of eternal bliss in His presence.
Another treasure that Jesus left is the Holy Spirit. He bequeathed us His presence in the person of the Spirit. A myriad of books have enumerated the vast legacy of His gifts, and His multiple purposes in our lives which include:
- Guaranteeing us eternal life with Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
- Teaching us in the things of the Lord (John 14:26)
- Giving us the words to say to introduce others to Christ (Matthew 10:19-20)
- Gifting us with practical abilities to help other Christians (Romans 12:6-8)
- And many other gifts that will keep us occupied until we meet Jesus (Ephesians 2:7)
Rather than taking us home to heaven immediately when we accept Him as Savior, Jesus allows us to continue living our earthly lives. However, our new lives as Christians are transfused with the light of Jesus, and our new focus on Him shines out to others. As Christians, we can help others come to Jesus and then disciple and minister to others, both believers and nonbelievers.
To help us, Jesus instituted the church as a rich resource for Christians to refresh themselves along their earthly journey. He also imbued His church with a structure to encourage, teach, and extend the Kingdom of God.
The above sample list of treasures Jesus left behind—His Word, the Holy Spirit, other Christians, and the church—becomes more and more precious to us as we journey toward heaven. Like my family’s letter, the spiritual value of Jesus’ legacy to us as Christians rises to incredible significance in our daily lives. We join with Mary, Jesus’ mother, in treasuring the resplendent inheritance Jesus left behind when He ascended to heaven after His resurrection.
Like the letter from my past that delighted me with every word, I exult in every word of Jesus, preserved in the Bible. My worthy goal of being a Christian focuses on having the mind of Christ. He left heaven to turn us from darkness to light and let Himself be known to us (See Acts 26:18.) I’m grateful Jesus loved me first before I turned to Him. He made me significant in His sight enough to die for me and be resurrected so that I could live with Him eternally. This is hope!
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Marlene is an author and teacher of Bible studies. She may be reached at Biblelady167@gmail.com
To receive helpful insight from the Bible, sign up for her newsletter at http://www.MarleneHouk.com, or connect with her on other social media. You can read more good Christian News from Marlene HERE.
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Blue Ridge Christian News covers Avery County, Burke County, McDowell County, Mitchell County, Yancey County, and Madison County in North Carolina, and Christian news from around the country.
