Jesus is not physically on earth now, but He is still speaking – through His Word and by His Spirit (John 14:26).  He ascended into heaven and will remain there until He comes again in His glorified body, and in great glory, to gather His people (Matthew 24:30-31) and make everything right and new (Revelation 21:3-4).

God's promise to restore the fallen world through Christ is seen throughout the Bible. Deuteronomy 18:15-19 is God's promise through Moses that Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's Word (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Indeed, anybody who will not listen to Him cannot be a part of His people. The Old Testament prophets were inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak and write about Jesus (1 Peter 1:10-12) and the Pentecost crowd were the first to hear the explanation of well-known but mysterious passages of Scripture (Colossians 1:26-27) – they were all about Jesus restoring a sinful world.

The hope of God’s people in the Old Testament was that, one day, God would send a prophet with His full authority to bless people.  That blessing starts as we trust in Jesus and turn away from sin.  That is repentance.  There is no way forward with God without listening to Jesus, agreeing that He is right, turning from what is wrong, and asking for His mercy and forgiveness.

Jesus is speaking today.  It does not matter what background you have come from; the only thing that matters, is where you are going.  Inclusion into God's family for ever is only through Jesus (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).  Because He is God the Son, those who reject Him also reject God the Father (John 15:23).  People who welcome Jesus are made part of God's family (John 1:12).  If you have accepted the gospel about Jesus, it is not only for you; it is essential good news for all your family, friends and colleagues too.  Jesus is still alive, still speaking, still in command and will fulfil His promise to restore everything that sin has spoiled.  As you trust in Him for salvation, also trust Him to help you to tell other people (www.crosscheck.org.uk), so that they may find His salvation too.