May 20, 2021 — The Receiving Line

“We went to a wedding last Saturday,” Stan commented one morning.

“Who got married?” I asked.

“The daughter of one of our neighbors,” Stan replied.

“Nice time?” I asked.

“Sure was,” he said. “My prayer for the young couple is that their marriage will be as wonderful as the wedding.”

“Big crowd?”

“There was,” Stan replied.  “And when I was waiting to pass through the receiving line I was struck by the whole notion of the receiving line and how it relates to my faith walk.”

“A receiving line at a wedding reminded you of your faith walk?” I questioned. “How so?”

“It has to do with what Jesus said about receiving Him, His Father, and the Holy Spirit.”

“Receiving them? In what way?”

“Well,” Stan replied, “in the first instance, Jesus said that whoever receives Him is receiving the Father.  Secondly, when He was talking to the early disciples about the Holy Spirit, He told them to receive the Holy Spirit. And it’s the same for me and everyone today. Receiving Jesus and the Father is what life eternally with God is all about.”

“As well,” he continued, “I think that receiving the Holy Spirit is the key to the eternal life of knowing the Father and the Son before I step into eternity.”

“So,” I said, “all sorts of receiving.  Does that receiving require anyone to stand in line waiting to receive?”

“Nope,” Stan replied. “It’s just a matter of choosing to receive and it happens.”

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Bible verses to consider:

Whoever is receiving Me is not receiving Me, but Him who sent Me. Mark 9:37.

He who receives you receives Me, and who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. Matthew 10:40.

And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22.

And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Acts of the Apostles 2:38.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for the free and gracious gift of life eternally with you when it’s time by receiving and accepting your provision. Thank you for those who brought me to the truth that receiving Jesus is receiving you. Thank you, too, for the gift of the Holy Spirit who is available to be received. I confess that too often I do not receive all you have for me.  Please help me to not only receive, but to embrace, everything you have for me on both sides of eternity.  Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Think on this: Have you received the gift of life eternally with God for when your time here is completed? If no, why? Do you know how to receive that free and gracious gift? If you do have the assurance of salvation, have you received the Holy Spirit? If you have received Him, have you embraced all that is available through Him? If no, what would it take for that to happen? Is that something you would like? Why or why not?