come-backs
"I go away for a while, and I come back to you." —John 14:28
Jesus went away for a while when He was crucified and put to death. Then He came back when He rose from the dead.
Jesus went away for a longer while when He ascended into heaven. He will come back at the end of the world to take us with Him.
Paul went back into Lystra (Acts 14:20) after its people had stoned him, dragged him out of town, and left him there for dead (Acts 14:19).
Paul and Barnabas went back to the towns where they had preached in order to encourage the disciples (Acts 14:21ff).
We are going to come back from the dead, and if we are going to be ready to meet Jesus when He comes back, we will have to make a few other "come-backs" first. We must come back to the people and places where we were hurt. We must return in forgiveness and mercy. We must also return to those people with whom we have shared the Gospel. We have a responsibility to see that baby Christians become mature disciples of Christ. Jesus commanded us to make disciples (Mt 28:19).
If we come back in forgiveness and discipleship, we will come back from the dead and meet the Lord Jesus coming back to the earth.
Prayer: Father, may I never come back to sin but always come back to Your love.
Promise: " 'Peace' is My farewell to you, My peace is My gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace. Do not be distressed or fearful." —Jn 14:27
Praise: After ten years away from the Church, Theresa returned to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to God.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Forgiveness on audio AV 54-1 or video V-54.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, XXX 11, 2011
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