It has been nearly 2000 years ago since our Lord Jesus walked the earth.  Think about it…today, 2020 I calculate 1, 987 years have passed since He died for us on the cross, was buried, rose from the grave on the third day, and then was taken up to Heaven in glory from where He will come again.  We know and believe all as the Holy Scriptures tell us, for the Holy Bible is the written Word of God to all mankind.  And those who will come to Christ and believe, BELIEVE with all your heart and soul and mind and strength and in asking forgiveness for your sins in true repentance in the blood of Jesus, why, your sins are forgiven and you have eternal life with Him.  Where He goes, you go; where He is there you will be also.  Picture Jesus in your mind and ponder this in the time you have, and think of the things unseen and the things of Heaven and eternity? That’s your next destination.

We know where Jesus is right now, don’t we? That’s right, He is in Heaven seated at the right hand of God, the Father.  There, He his our great High Priest who makes intercessions for us against “the railing accusations of Satan,” who calls you worthless. no good, and will never believe!

When Jesus was here the first time, His ministry lasted about three years…just three years! and look at all he did and said for the people as recorded in the Gospels.  All of the Old Testament prophecies about His First Advent were fulfilled to the letter!  And that was the year 33 A.D.

But what I want to talk to you about is what Jesus Promised?

In the Gospels of our Lord Jesus Christ, each writer, His disciples, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John wrote different accounts of His life and promises from their specific point of view as guided by God, the Holy Spirit.  Jesus did much during His ministry where forgiveness and salvation where spoken of, and much of it was written, but not all!

The Apostle John summed it up best when he wrote at the conclusion of the Gospel According to John, chapter 21, where it is written:

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.”

Can you imagine? I can’t.  But the things that were written included the ‘Promises of Jesus.’

Consider: I know I did my best work when I knew I had an advocate: someone who had my back; someone who believed in me; someone who was for me and spoke good of me, someone who believed in second chances and could help if I made a mistake! And someone who I could talk to-who would listen and get me back on my feet along the hard road of life.

Well, what about Someone who his far, far greater than any man?  Someone who loves you unconditionally, Who has your back every step of the way?  and even carry you.  That someone is Jesus and always was Jesus!  He was there when you were born!  He will be there when you die!  Without your knowing, He has been with you every step of the way!

He is God, the Son of God.  He has many names and titles too.  Yeshua-Jesus-Messiah-Christ.  Lord-Savior-Lamb of God.

He is Wonderful…our Counselor…the Almighty God…the Everlasting Father…the true and only Prince of Peace!  He is Lord of all, the Creator of all things who holds them  together by the power of His Word!  This is Jesus Christ your Advocate who will never forsake you!  And He has your back!

Think about how awesome and mind boggling that is!  That the very Creator and sustainer and planner and executer of all things, that in the very beginning, the One who created time and history, people, places and events, would even care for little old me and you!  But He does!

In 1 John, chapter 2, we read:

“If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…”

You see, dear friends, we are able to walk in light and not darkness, and have fellowship with one another, why?

Because in 1 John, chapter 1, it is written:

“The Blood of Jesus the Son cleanses us from all sin…”

For…

“He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

“This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”

The promise of Jesus.

The reality of always having an Advocate mighty to save, even in our lifetime here on earth is further stated by Jesus Himself in John, chapter 14:

“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. BUT THE ADVOCATE, THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL TEACH YOU EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I HAVE SAID TO YOU.”

This is the promise from Jesus Himself that God is our advocate-your advocate, my advocate, our advocate…today…tomorrow…always!

Don’t you see? The Advocate is God, the Holy Spirit.  He is in the world today, and He is in the heart of everyone who believes in Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, the Son of God…it is He who stirs our hearts of longing to attaining that something that is missing in our lives…and reminds us and helps us.

As we are forgiven our sins, and pray each day for forgiveness, even though they are already forgiven once and for all when Jesus went to the cross and died for the sins of the whole world, my sins and yours…and so we are to forgive others.

After Jesus taught them the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew, chapter six, He concluded with these words:

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

We are hung up with numbers even if we have really forgiven at all!  For example, “Well, that’s it! I have forgiven him six times already, but no more!

But what did our Lord Jesus say? The answer is found in Matthew, chapter 18:

“Then Peter came and said to Him, Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?  

Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.”‘

We are to forgive often and much, and not keep a record.