Sunday, March 17, 2024

Sunday Shorts: Seeing Jesus

Sunday Shorts: Seeing Jesus

 John 12:21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”

            There are many people in our communities and around the world who make a similar request about seeing Jesus today. They have heard about the love and teachings of Christ, but when they look at His followers, they sadly see religious people who insist on getting their own way, and whose intolerance suppresses the civil rights, freedoms, and lifestyles of others who get in their way. Rather than seeing Jesus, those seekers see Christians as people who couldn’t care less about the pain, predicaments, and problems of others, even though the One Whom they are supposed to serve told them to love one another, no matter who the other may be.

            Millions of folks will attend church services on Sundays who consider that their lip-service to God, as well as a check mark on a pew form, is all that’s required of them. They personally believe that they know Jesus in their hearts, even though there is a great sickness of ignorance mixed with prejudice in their souls. It’s sad to say, but even they can’t see Jesus for themselves; even they obstruct Christ by putting themselves first.

            I feel deeply for those fellow believers who have lost their way and because of this, I speak out against false leaders, false notions, and false beliefs that are being spread by prejudiced preachers and chagrined church folks who should know better, but who have allowed their social, political, and cultural beliefs to override and overcome their Christian principles. It’s sad to see such potentially good people being duped and misdirected by despicable dictators, even though Jesus Himself cautioned His followers: “Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

            If we often complain that the world, our nation, or community is not “Christian” enough, then we need to ask ourselves this pertinent and penetrating question: are we actually the ones who are obstructing others from seeing Jesus?

Point to ponder: Does Christ’s love motivate my faith or has hatred contaminated my soul?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to truly see You first before we begin to lead others to You. Make us aware of our prejudicial ways and unchristian feelings. Teach us the value of loving the unloved and cherishing those who are different from ourselves, just as You did throughout Your life on Earth. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Sunday Shorts: The Gift

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

            Every day, I pray for my family, for those living here in the United States and those across the world. I ask God to bless and protect them, to guide and to support them, to love and cherish them. It’s a ritual I go through each morning and whether or not I’ll see or hear from them that day, they’re in my prayers, on my mind, and in my heart. No matter what they’re going through or how they are feeling, I know that God is with them and that comforts me.

            The most important part of my daily prayer takes place at the end. I ask God to give them opportunities to draw closer to Him and accept Jesus as their Lord in Savior in their lives and hearts. I want them to know the love of God and the price that He decided to pay so that all of them could be favored and forgiven, renewed and restored to God’s Kingdom. I pray this, not just because I want them to know that they are not alone, but I believe it’s what God wants for them, too. This is why He sent His Son to the Earth long ago to reach out to humanity and gather us safely from the chaos, confusion, and commotion that we all experience in our lives. You see folks, God didn’t create us to be fearful or lonely; He made us to be thankful and loved.

            I hope that you understand this devotion and these prayers are also for you, your families, and your loved ones. Jesus gave everything so that we can gain everything about God that is everlasting. Our lives on Earth may be finite and the years go by too quickly, but God cherishes us so much that He wants our lives and love to continue beyond our time on this planet. God doesn’t want us to perish at all, but to gain everlasting life.

Point to ponder: Do I know God loves me?

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for creating us to be loved and not to be alone. Help us to reach out to You today and receive the blessings of Your acceptance and eternal love. Enable us to overcome our doubts and fears so that we may cherish the gift of Christ and receive His peace in our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sunday, March 03, 2024

Sunday Shorts: Confrontation

John 2:15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. (NIV)

I used to love watching one of the Seventies sci-fi shows which starred Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner. During the intro each week, he said an immortal line: “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” The show, of course, was The Incredible Hulk, and Dr. Banner was referring to his transformation into the green monster when he became enraged. I never cared much for the Hulk comic books, but I enjoyed the TV series. It was pure escapism for an hour and usually had some sort of moral message in each episode. 

Today’s passage makes me wonder how much we would like it if we actually experienced Jesus being angry. He goes to the Temple to worship God, but He is enraged by the buyers and sellers who have turned the sacred sanctuary into a monstrous marketplace. The people and pilgrims who came for peace and prayer were faced with all sorts of chaos and commotion. Instead of listening for the voice of God, all that was heard were temple merchants selling their wares of sacrificial livestock, while moneychangers were fleecing worshipers with exorbitant rates for turning Greek denarii coins into Temple shekels.

Jesus was angry, not just because His Heavenly Father’s sacred place was being disrespected, but because of the injustice and corruption that was occurring. People of faith were harassing outsiders and the religious authorities turned a blind eye to all the wheeling and dealing that took place. Jesus may not have transformed into a giant green monster, but there is no doubt He was angry and the people around Him didn’t like it.

This also makes me wonder about what’s happening in some churches today. Christians are deliberately turning a blind eye to corrupt leaders whose demeanor, nastiness, and prejudice are completely the opposite from all that Jesus taught. They also excuse their idols and ply them with gifts of money, esteem, and power, not realizing that they’re just like those buyers and sellers of old whom Jesus angrily cast out of the Temple. Sadly, those Christians also don’t like being shown the truth when the tables of bullying and bigotry, cowardice and corruption are overturned; however, I guess they won’t like Jesus being angry with them either.

Point to ponder: What tables does Jesus have to overturn in my life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we call ourselves Your followers but we cast aside our faith when it’s inconvenient or when we are confronted with the truth about those we blindly follow on Earth. Open our eyes to see what You see and protect us from false prophets and corrupt leaders. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

 

John Stuart is a retired Scottish presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.