During this month of February in which we celebrate love and African American history, we continue to honor the “freedom fighters” and “faith fighters” of our country. America is our country too and we are without question a part of why she remains a powerful force and beacon of light to this world. I especially want to give a shout out to Midshipman First Class Sydney Barber of Lake Forest, Illinois. Sydney (and you know why I especially love that name) is the U.S. Naval Academy’s first African American woman brigade commander and the 16th woman appointed to this prestigious leadership position in the forty-four years that women have been allowed to attend the naval academy. This intelligent, gifted, courageous, and competitive young woman will oversee the approximately 4,000 students at the Naval Academy and we celebrate her recent accomplishment as another first in Black History.
I am so glad about Our Super Bowl Sunday some two thousand years ago (the Gates of Hell versus Jesus and the Church). The greatest quarterback and the greatest “comeback-from-behind-game” of all times went down when Jesus Christ was resurrected from the grave. Coach Satan and the Gates of Hell thought that they had won the game (a score of three to zero) but on third down our quarterback and number one draft pick got up! Sacked on first down. Tackled on second down. But on third down, he ran for a touchdown (if you will). He got passed the demonic defense and ran through the defensive end we know as the grave. He stiff armed the middle linebacker that we call death. Our Savior made a touchdown and scored seven points (the number of completion) because His resurrection wholly affirmed that “It is finished.” So, death where is your victory? So, death where is your sting? Thank God for “Touchdown Jesus” who has given us the victory and because of Him we have power to stand and win life.
John 1:12 records that:
For the past several weeks, I have struggled with this verse and reflected upon the following question: How do we in real time (i.e., during a pandemic, civil unrest, presidential transition, recession, he-cession and she-cession) receive Him? Note here that the Apostle John says “[b]ut as many as received him.” The Apostle John did not say religion, the traditions of men or women, or denominational beliefs. He did not say theology because the Jewish nation had theology but he placed emphasis on Him who is the Audible of God. So, it begs the question as to whether we have received “Him.”
I am fully persuaded that COVID19 has divinely and without question separated in a manner of speaking the wheat from the tares, the saints from the aints, and the haves from the have nots. During the past twelve months, the Father has allowed our eyes to become open to see the real status of our relationship with the Son. In his infinite wisdom, the Father has created a fence around religious buildings to show us who is the church and who are just having church. My dear brothers and sisters, the Father would not have us ignorant about spiritual things and is showing us that church is not a verb or a place. Church is not some religious function that we invite people to attend on those special Sundays that we cloak as spiritual fellowship but in reality is just another fundraiser. The church is without question the true body of Christ.
The English word “church,” which is transliterated from the Greek word ekklesia, specifically means those who have been called out by Jesus Christ. The ekklesia is a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that proclaim the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Let the redeem of the Lord say so! Upon this rock, Jesus said, I will build my church and the gates of hell (the defeated team) shall not prevail against them. To receive Him, means that we first have to hear Him as faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Audible of God. As it is said, today, if you will hear His voice, do not hardened your hearts. I sincerely believe that the Word (the Audible of God’s Power) is asking: Can you hear me now? It should quicken within us that our faithful and obedient response to His call should not be delayed for such a time convenient to fit our particular schedules but yielded “today!”
Based upon our record in Revelation 3:20, Jesus said “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man (or woman) hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him (and to her), and will sup with him (and her), and he (and she) with me.” He’s looking to come in and to have full area access as our VIP (Victory, Intercessor and Prince of Peace). By faith, as we hear His voice and recognize His knock at the door, He is calling out unto each of us to give him full access in each area of our lives. Let’s invite Him to freely come in and to dwell inside of us (to abide in us and we in Him). I beseech you “today” to open the door and to greet Him along with me and just say: Welcome Home Jesus!