Tuesday, May 22, 2018
John 14:22-24 Judas (not Iscariot) said to [Jesus], "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me."
SPIRITUAL "INTERIOR DECORATING"
What a beautiful, comforting text of Holy Scripture, especially appropriate for the week celebrating the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit.
In answer to His disciple's question, Jesus teaches that He and His Father dwell within the hearts of His believers.
This indwelling, which gives Jesus' believers a peace and joy the unbelieving world knows nothing about, is sometimes called a form of Christian mysticism. Keep in mind, though, that it takes place only through the Holy Spirit working through the medium of the Word of God and the sacraments.
Think of a house. You live in one; you arrange everything in it; you make it distinctively your home; it is a place where your voice is heard, where your personal belongings are stored; it's a place where your love is shown in special ways toward other occupants of the house.
So also-- but in a profoundly spiritual sense-- the Father and the Son make a believer’s heart their home. They first take possession of the heart through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost in Holy Baptism. Then, through the Word of God in the Bible, they guide, comfort, and direct the person's life and priorities, daily cleaning all sinful clutter from the heart by calling the believer to repentance of sin and faith in the Savior.
This spiritual interior decorating continues day by day-- yes, moment by moment-- until finally the redeemed and ransomed soul is led safely home to his or her glorious mansion reserved in heaven.
Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down every idol throne,
Reign supreme, and reign alone.
See, to Thee I yield my heart,
Shed Thy life through every part;
A pure temple I would be,
Wholly dedicate to Thee.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 234:5-6)
