Midweek Message: Know the Truth

John 8:31-32 To those who had previously believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NIV)

Jesus faced a lot of opposition throughout His ministry, especially from some of His earliest followers who eventually decided to walk away from Him. In doing so, they rejected His teaching which was based on truth and love, and then they fiercely confronted Him with their doubts about His character, as well as their own retrenched beliefs.

Christ’s truth challenged His people, just as it still does for all who call themselves Christians today. He never said that believing in Him or following His way was going to be easy, but He did insist that what He was preaching and teaching was the God-given truth. People back then relied on many of their traditions and sacred texts to formulate their own ideas about what was important and true. When Jesus brought a new understanding of what those traditions and texts really meant, His ideas were initially treated as being novel and inventive, but eventually they were seen as being too radical and dangerous for regular religious people.

We are still faced with the same challenges, especially in our truth-forsaken society which relies more on what we feel rather than what is factual. A culture which insists that what people feel to be true as more important than what is actually true, can be easily manipulated by charlatans and liars, conmen and fanatics. Such a society enslaves itself to the whims and wiles of totalitarian leaders, as well as their henchmen and women, whose only purpose is to increase their power by spreading lies, causing chaos, creating division, and fomenting fear. This is why Jesus taught both His supporters and opponents that knowing the truth was essential to their freedom – lies took away their liberty whereas the truth kept them free.

Point to ponder: How does Christ’s truth constantly challenge me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life which we all should seek and emulate. Forgive us for being duped by leaders who lie. Help us to follow and practice Your teaching which counters fear with faith and lies with love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Sunday by Sunday - Year C devotions

The Christian Calendar begins each year on the First Sunday in Advent which in 2024 takes place on December 1^st. We will be heading into Year C which will complete the three-year cycle of Bible readings. I’ve written a book of devotions for this calendar year and called it ‘Sunday by Sunday – Year C.’

The purpose of this book is to present a weekly meditation based on the Gospel texts for the Year C. Each meditation includes a highlighted verse from the Gospel text, as well as a point to ponder supplemented with a short prayer. It can be used as a time of preparation before Sunday worship or as a personal devotion if getting to church is difficult. Each meditation can also be read aloud as a discussion starter for a lectionary Sunday school class, or as a concluding devotion after such a class. The whole purpose is to focus on what Christ has done in the Gospel passage in order to draw each of us closer to Him and God.

The book can be purchased for Kindle use (a free Kindle reader app can easily be downloaded for free on any device), or as a paperback (US, Canada, and UK only). The link to the book is given below. Get your copy now, in time for Year C beginning on December 1.

US link: Sunday by Sunday - Year C The Gospels - Kindle edition by Stuart, John, Stuart, John. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

UK link: Sunday by Sunday - Year C The Gospels: Amazon.co.uk: Stuart, John, Stuart, John: 9798334060432: Books

Canada link: Sunday by Sunday - Year C The Gospels eBook : Stuart, John, Stuart, John: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store

Sunday Shorts - Speaking Plainly

Mark 8:32 Jesus spoke plainly about this, so Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

Some people never grow up. In my many years of ministry, I’ve come across some sad people who live as if they’re still adolescents and take no responsibility for their actions. When things get tough, they ignore the crisis and avoid the issues. Some of them retreat into a petulant corner; others become addicted to alcohol, drugs, or porn. Instead of seeking God’s help or good counsel, they carry on their reckless ways. It usually ends in tragic circumstances or bitterness. That’s what makes it all so sad.

I think Peter the disciple had a similar problem. When things were going well, he was probably the life and soul of the party. However, when Christ spoke about arrest and execution, as well as defeat and death, Peter desperately sought to avoid the impending reality. He didn’t want to listen to negative words. He didn’t want to accept Christ’s fearful prophecies. He wanted the sacred circus and miraculous merry-go-round to continue. He couldn’t face the obvious truth that Christ was expressing.

Within all of us, there’s a comparable attitude. We want life to be jolly, our hearts to be happy, and our days filled with gladness. We have made the pursuit of happiness our reason for living, instead of enjoying God and praising Him forever. We don’t want to change our ways or be challenged by Christ’s words. We want our faith to be warm and fuzzy, instead of challenging and life-altering. In other words, we really don’t want us to be focused on Christ; we want Him to be focused on us.

Point to ponder: Do I form Jesus into what I want Him to be, or do I allow Him to re-shape me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, speak plainly to our hearts and minds. Grant us a better understanding of what You want to do with our lives. Keep us from deluding ourselves and help us to devote our lives to You. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts - Prejudice and Prayer

Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. (NIV)

            Years ago, just after my family had moved with me to the United States from Scotland, one of my daughters had a bad experience. A girl that she played with at school fell out with her one day and the two of them got into an argument. At one point in the heated conversation, the girl who had been my daughter’s friend suddenly shouted out, “You’re no friend of mine. You’re just a dirty little foreigner.” It hurt my daughter immensely and she cried about it for days.

It was a very cruel thing to say which is why years later all of our family constantly defends the right of immigrants coming into the United States and being treated fairly and respectfully. Whenever we hear or read of others being castigated just because they were born in a different country, we confront that inhumanity. It’s also sad to see some of our friends in the UK also condemning foreigners, especially boat people who are desperate to find safety and asylum in Britain. It makes me wonder about how we’ll be received at the gates of heaven after death because we’ll be hoping to be let in to God’s Eternal Kingdom. How we treat foreigners on Earth may be the same standard that God applies to us when we ask for eternal sanctuary!

            When I read the Gospel story in Mark 7 about the Syrophoenician woman who begs Jesus to heal her daughter, I admire her tenacity. At one point, Jesus appears to call her a foreigner who is not worthy of His consideration. Despite this setback, the distraught mother pleads with Christ to cure her child. It’s this persistence that amazes Jesus and He compassionately agrees to heal the young girl.

            Tenacity and perseverance are two qualities that faithful, prayerful people possess. I’ve admired Christians who are prayer warriors in their communities and whose words of constant intercession have changed lives through Christ’s spirit. As Lord Tennyson once wrote, “There are more things wrought by prayer than the world dreams of.”

Point to ponder: How prayerful am I? Do I believe that prayer actually changes things? Have I any prejudices that I should be concerned about?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, every day we bring to You our prayers, but sometimes we take you for granted or we casually list our concerns to You. Help us to understand the true power and potential of prayer. Enable us to use it effectively in our faithful lives. In Your Holy Name, we sincerely pray. Amen.

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

Sunday Shorts: Bread of Life

John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (NIV)

            Recently, our whole family went out for dinner at a special pizza restaurant. The menu was amazing, and we all looked forward to eating our chosen meals. Our two-year-old granddaughter, Ellie, was there, too, but as she couldn’t read the menu, we just ordered her a plain cheese pizza.

            When the server came round with some garlic bread as an appetizer, Ellie enjoyed a piece and declared it to be ‘yummy.’ She ate several more pieces, copying her older cousin Andrew, but when the server arrived with the pizzas, she didn’t want any. All that she desired to eat was more bread. She loved the taste and the texture, so she didn’t want to replace it with something else. While we all ate our chosen meals, Ellie was content to eat what was left of the bread. She knew what she liked and didn’t want to change it for anything.

            When I read today’s verse where Jesus declares Himself to be the Bread of Life, I wonder how many of us are satisfied with what He has to offer us spiritually? Are we ready to accept all that Jesus brings to the table of our lives, and is it sufficient for our spirits and souls? Once we taste the bread He offers, are we content to keep feeding from Christ’s life and teaching, or do we set His pieces aside each time we come across something spiritually novel or new?

            When Jesus spoke to His people about being the Bread of Life, He lived in an age where Roman emperors placated the unruly mobs in Rome with bread and circuses. The temple at Jerusalem was also a place where the best bread in the nation was religiously displayed and replaced every week, so when Jesus said He was the Bread of Life, He was radically declaring Himself to be better than the emperor and greater than the temple. It was a bold statement and one that would cost His life. Christ sought to inform His followers that as far as spiritual nourishment was concerned, He was more than enough for all of them.

            Today, Jesus speaks to us through the Gospels with the same declaration, telling us in this 21^st century that He is still all we need to nourish our spirits. He has invited us all to taste and see that the Lord is good; all we have to do is consume what Christ has to offer.

Point to ponder: How has Jesus become my Bread of Life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You offer to sustain us by becoming our Bread of Life. Encourage us to feed on Your words and ways that will sustain our souls and replenish our spirits. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully receive and pray. Amen.

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

My Latest Book: Sunday by Sunday

My latest book is the beginning of a three-year project that I’ve been wanting to complete for years. I try to write devotionals on Sunday mornings to help church folks, teachers, and pastors focus on God’s Word for each particular Sunday. Over the years, I’ve compiled enough to cover most Sundays in each lectionary year.

My aim is to write a series of books with meditations for the lectionary Gospels, Psalms, Old Testament narratives, and the New Testament epistles.

 

This first book of devotionals focuses on the Gospels for Year C which begins at Advent on December 1 of this year. It contains seventy meditations including daily devotions for Holy Week, Christmas, and other Feasts. Each devotion includes a highlighted verse, short meditation, a point to ponder, as well as a short prayer. The devotions can be completed individually, with family, or a small church group.

 

I am already working on Year A Gospels, as well as some of the lectionary psalms. My hope is to produce twelve books which can be read year after year. The books will be available as eBooks for Kindle users (the Kindle app can be downloaded for free on any device or computer) and as paperbacks. The links to this first book are given below. I hope you may at least enjoy looking at them online.

 

As always, I am grateful for your encouragement and support. God bless.

John Stuart

 

Ebook and paperback* links

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DB3TLLYN

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DB3TLLYN

Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DB3TLLYN

Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DB3TLLYN

*paperback copies are only available via Amazon in the US, Canada, and the UK.

Sunday Shorts: Listening, But Not Hearing

Mark 6:20 Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. (NIV)

            Being a Scottish preacher in American churches can be quite novel at times. For some reason, folks like to listen to my Scots accent because they find it to be quite lyrical. I used to think this was a great thing and relished each time I was asked to preach in a different pulpit. Over the years, however, I realized that my accent could sometimes get in the way of the Gospel message. People in the pews liked to listen to how I preached but didn’t absorb the sermon. Sometimes at the church door after the worship service, someone would say: “I loved your Scottish accent, but I didn’t understand what you said.”

            King Herod must have felt the same with John the Baptist. The cruel king had imprisoned John for preaching against his marriage. Herod’s wife was greatly offended, so Herod had the fiery preacher arrested and thrown into a jail below his palace.

            Herod, however, did not neglect John. He liked to listen to the preacher, although he didn’t fully understand what John talked about. Perhaps the prophet preached on the Kingdom of God which Herod would think rivalled his own sovereignty. Or maybe John talked about repentance for being sinful which Herod totally ignored. Whatever the case, Herod missed his opportunity to be reconciled to God. He liked listening to John, but he never truly heard a word which could have changed his life forever.

            Some folks are like that, too. They know about Jesus and have perhaps listened to some of His teaching. Unfortunately, instead of fully embracing Him as their Savior and Lord, they just label Him as another historical holy man whose sermons were quaint and applicable to the past, but not relevant in today’s world. In other words, they listen but do not hear, which is why Jesus constantly told His listeners, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Point to ponder: Do I like to just listen to what Jesus had to say, or do I hear how His words challenge me to change my ways?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to be truly open to Your Gospel message and holy teachings. Challenge our lives so that we may change our ways by applying Your words in our daily lives. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Midweek Message: The Other Good Samaritan

Luke 17:15-16 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. (NIV)

            In many years of ministry, I have seen people who were truly thankful to God for help and healing. Their lives were changed in a single moment, so they devoted themselves to worshiping and serving God for the rest of their days. I, also, am one of them because when God heard my cry for help about my alcoholism, He graciously answered my anxious prayer by restoring me physically, mentally, and above all, spiritually. I was made into a new person and decided to follow Jesus for the rest of my life.

            The other Good Samaritan in the Bible passage from Luke 17:11-19 does the same. He is one of ten lepers who is miraculously healed by Jesus. He is sent to get this confirmed by a local priest so that he can rejoin his family and community. But as soon as he realizes that he has been healed of that terrible painful, disfiguring disease, he stops running away from Christ and returns to give Him thanks. He knows the source of his cure, so rather than going immediately to his priest and family, he humbly thanks Jesus by falling on his knees before Him, glorifying and praising God loudly.

            Jesus appreciates this act of gratitude, but He is also perplexed. The other nine are nowhere to be seen, even though they are all His own people. Only this Samaritan is grateful for what has occurred; only this outsider recognizes what Christ has miraculously done for al ten lepers.

            I have also seen people who have been restored physically, whose prayers for healing have been answered perfectly, whose worries and anxieties, issues and illnesses have been positively dealt with by God and yet they remain thankless. Instead of returning to Christ and worshiping Him, they take their cure for granted and get on with their lives, focusing on themselves first and ignoring any notion of recognizing what God has mercifully done in them. It’s sad to see and very disappointing, but Christ also experienced this many times throughout His life.

            Wherever we are and however we feel today, let’s not forget what Christ has done in each of our lives. Let’s be thankful that we exist even for another day and make time to be grateful to God for all that He has graciously, and perhaps even miraculously, done for us.

Point to ponder: How has God positively changed my life? How do I show Him my gratitude?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are many times that You have helped us throughout our lives. You have listened to our prayers and enabled us to overcome illnesses and issues that have seriously troubled us. May we never take Your compassion and grace for granted. May we also seek to worship and glorify You for the rest of our days. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Sunday Shorts: The Quiet Woman

Mark 5:27-28 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him, hidden by the crowd and touched his cloak, thinking to herself, "If I only touch his clothes, I will be healed."

            Over the many years that I have worked in ministry, I have seen many women sincerely serve God in their own quiet way. Some of them have worked behind the scenes preparing food for different social events; others have written cards or given flowers to folks who were experiencing illness, loneliness, or grief. I have also watched other women professionally minister to their called congregations, serving with love, enthusiasm, intelligence, and compassion, even in the face of gender discrimination which still can be found in some unenlightened churches. Their quiet endurance is something that I constantly admire, and I am grateful for the essential ministry of women which keeps Christ’s Church alive throughout the world.

            In today’s Gospel story (Mark 5:25-34), a wee quiet woman seeks Christ’s ministry of healing. She has suffered from a blood disease that has plagued her life for years. She has sought medical help and spent most of her resources trying to find a cure. When she hears about Jesus coming to her town, she knows within her heart that this will be her last opportunity of being healed

            Her illness, though, has left her without any helpers. She may even have felt excluded from the rest of the religious community because blood issues among women at that time were deemed to be unclean. Perhaps she doesn’t want to draw attention to herself in case someone recognizes her, so she quietly and timidly reaches out to touch Christ’s cloak as He is passing. She believes that whatever power He has can be instantly transferred to her without causing a scandal.

            Jesus, however, feels some of His divine power draining from Him, so He immediately stops and asked who touched Him. His disciples explain that many people in the crowd who were pushing and jostling with each other to get near Him, must have brushed against Him. But Christ knows what has really happened and the wee quiet woman, who has already been healed, is terrified of what could now occur. In her heart, she must have thought that Jesus would have rebuked her for stealing some of God’s power and so she kneels before Him, trembling.

            Christ then does something beautiful here. Instead of rebuking her, He commends her for being faithful and He even calls her “Daughter,” which meant that she was not only physically healed but that she was completely restored to God. For years, she had been on the outside of the faithful community; now, she was fully accepted back into God’s love.

            There are many women in the church who are faithfully serving Christ. They don’t look for any rewards, public praise, or congregational recognition. They just seek to serve Jesus quietly, efficiently, and effectively, empowered by His presence in their lives, and encouraging others by sharing God’s love which has helped them, healed them, and restored them.

Point to ponder: Who are the quiet women in my congregation? Am I grateful for their faith and service?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, today we give You thanks for the quiet women in our churches whose support, compassion, and ministries sustain local congregations everywhere. Bless them for their devotion, leadership, and service which has kept our faith alive for centuries. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

Short devotion: Turning Point - Acts 10:28

 

Acts 10:28 And Peter said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.” (NIV)

 It was a turning point in Peter’s ministry. He thought that his mission for Christ was to be narrowly focused on his own people, but God showed him dramatically in a vision that the Gospel Peter was preaching was for everyone. It was a remarkable event in Peter’s life, so when folks approached him on behalf of an outsider – Cornelius – the Big Fisherman knew that God was calling him to bring Christ’s message of salvation and grace to those who were least like him. As Peter confessed at that time, “God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.”

 In our current divided and fragmented society, it’s very easy to think of others who have different opinions, ideas, and lifestyles as being subhuman, wicked, and unworthy of our prayers, compassion, or care. It’s far easier to put people in biased boxes so that we can ignore them completely. Giving them labels allows us discount their situations and disregard their grievances. We can even force them to live in ghettoes or lock them up in cages in order to get rid of the annoyance of having to deal with their problems. However, in doing that we set aside the Gospel of grace and disrespect what God has shown – that we should not call anyone profane or unclean.

 On Wednesday nights, our wee church is actively attempting to reach a turning point with our BridgeBuilders program. We want to learn from others what damage has been done to them by racism and prejudice, biased systems and manipulation. The discussions we are having are not easy to hear, but the only way to bridge the gaps that we have created or allowed is to actively listen to what people of color, creed, or orientation have to say. By doing this, we hope to reach a point where we will call no one profane or unclean. We will see them as the Lord does: children of God in need of love and grace.

 Point to ponder: Who am I prejudiced against? How does God see them?

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, being a Christian is never easy because You challenge us on so many different levels. We justify our biased ways and validate our judgment of others. Forgive us for being morally profane and spiritually unclean. Heal us of our blindness and open our hearts to embrace all of God’s children. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

 John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to learn more about our Bridgebuilders program, please visit our website for more details at www.erinpres.org.

 Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called “A New Earth.” If you would like to view a larger version, just click this link: A New Earth.

Pandemic Purpose - Mark 9 v 5

Mark 9:7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” (NIV)

For most of us, being at home is like house arrest. We want to go places and be with people elsewhere, but we cannot because we’re trying our best to help others. We end up sitting around after our work, probably watching old movies, checking out the fridge, or cleaning out stuff that we’ve gathered or kept in boxes way too long. Perhaps there are some moments when we don’t know what to do with ourselves, so we just end up trudging through the day as best as we can and then go to bed early. We’re on pandemic imprisonment and we don’t like it.

But what if God wanted us to use some of this time to grow closer to His Son Jesus? What if this was the opportunity to fully read that Gospel or Old Testament book that we’ve always promised ourselves to do? What if God, who really loves His Son, wants us to listen to Him now? Wouldn’t that transform our spirits? Wouldn’t that give us something to aim at or spiritually deepen?

Usually, we are so busy that we never really stop to listen to Jesus. We bring Him into our lives whenever there’s a crisis or something that we want from God. Now that we’re in a crisis, shouldn’t we be asking ourselves what does God want me to do in this strange time?

So, go on. Read that book from the Bible. Study that passage that has always intrigued you. Choose a Gospel and read it from beginning to end. The insight that Christ gives you may also change you, but then again is that not why God says to the three disciples on the mountainside and also ourselves: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we waste a lot of our lives by focusing on unimportant things. During this pandemic help us to change that. Encourage us to meditate on Your Word and allow us to use this opportunity to grow closer to You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

PS – if you would like to find a Bible online, the best ones to be freely found are at this great link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Today’s image is John’s latest Pentecost drawing called “Spirit 2020.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Spirit2020.

October 26 devotion - Sword Fight

John 18:11     Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

I used to fence with swords when I was a teenager. My friend Graeme and I somehow managed to purchase two foils in a second-hand shop. I think we originally bought them for a play we were doing, but we got so hooked on the swords that we started to fence outside in my backyard.

It was good fun, but we didn’t have any masks or protective clothing, so it was pretty painful at times. The foils were tipped, but if they scraped across our open skin, it left a scar for days. We even worked out a staged fight and used it to entertain the local kids.

And then one day, Graeme lunged at me and hit me in the face. He hit the corner of my right eye, which left a nasty red mark across my face. If he had hit me a quarter of an inch to the left, I would have lost the eye. It was a very painful and poignant moment. That night we put the swords away and decided to take up jujitsu instead.

In the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ was being arrested, Peter just wanted to protect Jesus when he lunged at Malchus with his sword. Out of all the disciples, he was the only one who defended Christ. It was an impetuous and impossible thing to do. The high priest’s posse had arrived with clubs and swords, so no matter what Peter did, Jesus would still be arrested.

Strangely enough, Jesus didn’t rebuke the posse. Instead, He rebuked Peter, which must have seemed harsh at the time. It’s only later that you realize Jesus was protecting Peter from being arrested, too. By insisting that Christ had to drink the cup of wrath from God alone, Jesus was giving Peter a way out. He was diverting the mob’s attention away from the big impulsive sword-wielding disciple and turning it back toward Himself. It was an act of grace. It was a gift of mercy from God.

Sometimes, as Christians, we get all fired up and are full of zeal for the Lord. We want to protect Him from all of the discredit and damage that the world still wants to cause Jesus, but in the process, we act irrationally and put ourselves in danger. We seem to forget that Christ alone has the power to make all things right and that one glorious day, His justice will prevail.

Point to ponder

When have I acted impulsively in an effort to defend Christ? How would Jesus have responded?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we love You and we want to please You. Forgive us when our zeal blinds our reason and our strident ways diminish our faith. Grant us the godly gift of discernment, to know when and how to say and do the right things, as opposed to doing them at the wrong time, in an un-Christian way. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make a comment about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

August 8 devotion - Like One of Us

John 4:6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. (NIV)

            Every now and then, we come across verses in the Gospels that reveal this simple truth: Jesus was not superhuman. In today’s verse, we read that Jesus was tired from the journey. He had walked many miles with His disciples to reach this part of Samaria and needed to rest for a while. The noonday sun was beating down on Him and the disciples had left Him on His own. As usual, they were hungry and had gone looking for food, instead of finding a way to get Jesus some water to refresh Him. Jesus was weak and weary which lets us know just how human He actually was.

            His rescuer is a Samaritan woman of ill-repute and the whole event becomes an opportunity of changing her life, as well as for some people in the local community. It’s a remarkable story of salvation and has been eloquently preached about for centuries, but we should always be aware that it begins with Jesus at one of His weakest moments – He is exhausted and thirsty.

            Perhaps this story is also part of a prophetic journey. At the end of His life, Christ will be exhausted after walking through the streets of Jerusalem carrying His Cross. His disciples will have abandoned Him again and when He is nailed down, His thirst will be unquenchable. It will also be a moment of salvation, this time for the whole world. His would-be rescuers – His mother and other women – will not be able to do anything for Him. His exhaustion will be extremely painful and His thirst will rage on till He dies, proving once again that Jesus was not superhuman.

            For us, knowing how human Jesus was, can give us hope, especially during times of weakness, low-energy, and exhaustion. It means that Christ truly understands our circumstances for He has also faced similar experiences. If He was superhuman, our problems and burdens would be alien to Him. However, because Jesus was truly a human being, He knows exactly what suffering, pain, and discomfort involve, so we can confidently pray to Him for help, guidance, and support, in any and every situation we face.

Point to ponder

What am I currently enduring? How can Christ help me?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, God wisely sent You to Earth to become like us in order to experience human frailty and weakness, infirmity and pain. You embraced our human condition completely so that You could redeem us fully. Thank You for Your empathy; thank You for Your sacrifice. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org. You may also send John an email with questions or feedback to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Psalm drawings, based on Psalm 17. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Psalm17.

What Do You Want? - Matthew 20:32

Matthew 20:32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” He asked. (NIV)

            In the Gospel story from Matthew 20:29-34, Jesus heals two blind men outside the city of Jericho. They had been begging at the gate of the city, so when they heard that Jesus was there, they suddenly cried out to Him for help. Obviously, they had been told stories of this new teacher who healed all sorts of people. As He passed by them with His entourage of followers, they realized this would be their only chance to be cured of their blindness.

            When Jesus heard their cries, He stopped what He was doing and asked them, “What do you want me to do for you?” The answer was obvious: they wanted to see. Jesus then quickly healed them of their blindness and they were both so thankful for this miracle that they decided to follow Him. It was not only an end to their blindness, but it was also a new beginning for their spirits.

            Throughout our days, we all ask Jesus for help and healing. We experience situations and circumstances that are difficult and sometimes painful. We look to Jesus to stop what He is doing, in order to lift us up and out of those predicaments. After Christ has helped us, how do we respond? Are we grateful for His aid? Are we thankful for His support? Are we willing to follow Him faithfully and serve Him after having our prayers answered, or do we take Him for granted until the next emergency or crisis in our lives?

Point to ponder

When was the last time Jesus helped me and answered my prayer? Have I responded faithfully by following Him?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely and are fully aware of our present difficulties and current circumstances. When we cry out to You for help, please hear our prayers. And when those prayers are answered, strengthen our faith so that we may gratefully follow and serve You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come along and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome. 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s latest worship bulletin drawings called Bartimaeus. If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Bartimaeus.

Looking for Jesus - John 6:24

John 6:24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. (NIV)

            Quite recently, I was seeking an old recording of a conversation that some friends of mine had at a radio station several years ago. One of them had just died and I was wanting to hear his voice again, as well as the remarkable story of his life. I hunted high and low in my home, my study, my garage, and church office, but sadly I didn’t come across the CD. I know that it is somewhere safe and I’ll probably discover it when I’m looking for something else. Until then, I’ll just have to rely on the memories that I have of my friend and the good times that we shared.

            At the end of today’s Gospel passage (John 6:22-24), the people are looking for Jesus, but He is nowhere to be found. The previous day, He had miraculously fed 5000 people, which made the crowd want to make Him their king. When they discovered that Jesus had gone, they set out on their boats and sailed up to Capernaum where He usually resided. I’d like to think that they were looking for Christ for all of the right reasons, but I suspect that human nature being what it is, they were mostly looking for more miraculous food.

            This made me reflect on my own search for Jesus. Have I been seeking Him for all of the right reasons, or do I have some selfish desires that I want Him to fulfill? Am I looking to Christ to straighten out my problems, overcome my difficulties, and fix my issues, or I am I just humbly seeking to serve Him because He is my Lord and King? I hope and pray that it is more to do with the latter.

Point to ponder

Am I looking for Jesus to do something in my life or am I seeking to do something for Him?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are the Lord of our lives and the King of all Creation. We are supposed to be Your servants and faithful followers. Help us to seek Your will in all that we accomplish and experience today. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org. You can also email John with your questions, feedback, and thoughts at Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called ‘Jazz4Jesus.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Jazz.

June 28 devotion - My Eyes Have Seen

Luke 2:30-32              “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

            I have seen God’s salvation in the lives of other people, as well as my own. I have seen addicts turn their lives around and their families restored. I have seen people healed of various illnesses and injuries, and have watched them continue to enjoy life. I have seen the work of many churches across various cities, towns, and villages seeking to support the weak, love the lost, and embrace the hopeless. I have seen the work of missions and missionaries among the poorest of people and in the most deprived communities on Earth. In all of these places and among all of these people, I have seen the continuing ministry of Christ and God’s unending work of salvation.

            Today’s highlighted verses are taken from the prayer of Simeon when he encountered Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple (Luke2:25-35). His words of gladness are still relevant in today’s world. All over the globe, Christians are working for the Lord to bring salvation to anxious persons and healing to broken hearts. Life is a constant struggle for most people on this small planet, but Christ’s work, words, and ways still manage to bring light and love, as well as hope and healing to billions of human beings in hundreds of nations.

            The prophecy that Simeon expressed in the Temple courts can still be experienced today. If we open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to receive what God is truly doing among us, we will recognize His work around us. Christ’s light reveals to us the redemption, renovation, and restoration of lives throughout the Earth. We only have to be open to His Spirit; we only have to be willing to serve Christ in order to see.

Questions for personal reflection

Where is God at work in my life, community, and world today? How may I help Him?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world and we look to You for everlasting hope and eternal life. You came into this planet to restore us to God through mercy and forgiveness, grace and love. Thank You for these priceless gifts and infinite blessings. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s stained glass designs. It’s based upon windows that he saw as a child when living in tenements in Glasgow, Scotland. The drawing is called both “Halfway Up the Stairs” and “Glasgow Rose.” If you would like to see a larger version, click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7458512986_9fc4bdf206_b.jpg

The Beauty of Baptism

Luke 3:3 John went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (NIV)

            Recently, I baptized a father and his children as the mother, who was already baptized, stood next to them. It was a very beautiful ceremony and was watched by some of their church friends in the sanctuary. I felt privileged to have been asked to do this for them and it reminded me of the mysterious way that the Holy Spirit connects Christian families to one another. As their church friends came forward to greet the family after the baptisms, I witnessed an outpouring of joy and love. It was a blessing that I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life.

            When John the Baptist ministered to people in the region of the Jordan River, he emphasized their need to repent and be baptized. He did this to help people who were struggling with their sins and who needed a brand new start. The best way to do this was repent and then be ritualistically cleansed in the River Jordan. For those who experienced it, their baptism must have been both a liberating and joyful occasion. As they emerged from the waters of the Jordan, they must have felt as though their life had started all over again which would have been a great feeling. To be fully cleared of sin and totally loved by God would have been an exceptional experience. God’s grace is immense and whether a baptism takes place in the River Jordan or a church sanctuary, the effect is the same: a restored person becomes a welcomed child in God’s Kingdom.

Point to ponder

When have I felt God’s grace in my life? How have I shared that gift with other people?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of baptism and its wonderful power which restores us to God’s love and favor. Be with us and bless us this day. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at this link: www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s stained glass designs called ‘Baptismal Waters.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Waters.

Love and Perseverance - 2 Thessalonians 3:5

2 Thessalonians 3:5   May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (NIV)

            I like today’s chosen verse because it is full of encouragement. All of us want to experience God’s love in our hearts and feel the assurance of His compassion. We all need to know that we are not alone in this world and that God loves each of us fully. This is a wonderful gift of grace and something that we can faithfully rely upon.

            But there’s also a bonus in this verse: Christ adds His perseverance to that beautiful love of God. This means that no matter what we anticipate, experience, or endure, Jesus will be right there with us, every step of the way. In colloquial terms, it could be said that Christ has our back and is constantly watching over us. God’s love make us feel secure and strong; Christ’s perseverance enables us to face our problems, issues, and troubles, in order to resolve and overcome them.

            Perhaps this has been a bad week, or a terrible month, or even a painful year for you. You may currently feel isolated and vulnerable, anxious or depressed. Whatever you are going through, please know this: God loves you and Christ walks beside you. You are not unloved or alone.

Questions for personal reflection

What problems am I facing today? How can God’s love and Christ’s perseverance help me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we know that You are always with us and that God’s love sustains us. Persevere with us in the midst of our troubles and graciously enable us to overcome our problems. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to contact him, please send John an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Christ is King Sunday drawings. If you would like to see a larger version, please click this link: King.

Gospel devotion - Gospel Readers - 2 Corinthians 9:13

2 Corinthians 9:13     Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 

            Sharing the Gospel these days is very different from how it was done during the Apostle Paul’s time. Usually, we try to encapsulate the whole Gospel into a couple of positive phrases like “love one another” and “do not judge,” making it easy to remember and simple to apply. However, Christ’s Gospel mainly comes to us in four New Testament books, compromising of eighty-nine separate chapters. Condensing the Good News into a couple of words can unintentionally diminish Christ’s life, ministry, and teaching. It may be convenient for us to carry a couple of verses in our hearts and minds, but we could end up with a very superficial understanding of what the Gospel can actually teach us.

In the first couple of centuries of our faith, people laid their lives on the line for the sake of the Gospel. They wouldn’t have done that for just a couple of moralistic mottoes. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection meant everything to them, even if it cost them their livelihood or existence. Those First Christians understood that the Gospel was greater than anything they encountered or experienced; to them, it was infinitely more important than life or death itself.

            Currently, our church’s Confirmation students are reading and studying the Gospel of Mark. By the time their classes are concluded, they will have read all of it, as well as completing homework assignments about each chapter. The young people also have their own questions, ideas, and opinions about Christ’s life, ministry, and death. They are learning that the Gospel has much more depth to it, as well as how it can radically influence their daily decisions and challenge their personal lives.

Perhaps if more church members were to consistently read and re-read the Gospels, they would also embrace and understand the real message of the New Testament narratives. Having only a couple of biblical verses in our hearts and minds is not enough to sustain our spirits or grow our faith. If we truly want to become committed Christians, then surely we need to know what the entire Gospel is about, so that we can positively apply and generously share Christ’s teachings.

Questions for reflection

What was the last Gospel that I fully read? How can I organize reading the Gospels on a regular basis?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, all that we know about You comes mainly from the Gospels. Without them, we would not know what You said or did. Help us to read and re-read the Gospels on a regular basis, so that we can learn to understand and know what You want us to do with the remainder of our lives. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions about today’s devotion, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Gospel drawings called “A New Earth.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click the following link: Gospel.

Bible devotion: Captives for Christ - 2 Corinthians 2:14

2 Corinthians 2:14     But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

            In ancient Rome, when a military commander or great general came back to the Eternal City after a victorious campaign, a triumphal procession was given to honor both the leader, as well as the mightiness of Rome itself. Behind the victorious leader in his chariot, a procession of captives, made up of kings, chieftains, princes and other tribal leaders from the defeated region, would slowly march in chains after the glorified general. This was to publicly display how great a victory had been accomplished, as well as to humiliate the once-proud and defiant enemies of Rome.

            The apostle Paul used this public spectacle as a means of describing the followers of Christ. Jesus had triumphed over sin and death; His disciples and servants had been conquered by His Spirit, and so they became captives of Christ. Paul was declaring that Christians became prisoners of Christ, whose only purpose was to glorify how great a victory Christ had accomplished.

            In today’s post-modern individual idealist world, this is a very hard concept to accept. We are so used to being free spirits and independent that we find it difficult to embrace the idea that we are captives and prisoners of Christ. We tend to want God to do things for us; we feel that Jesus should support our ideas and opinions, beliefs and needs. Being servants of Jesus is a lot harder to accept that being served by God; becoming captives of Christ and His ways impinges on our personal freedom and individual choices. We want Jesus to accept us as we are and what we want to be; we flinch and push back against the chains of conformity, as well as the fetters of our faith. Pride prevents us from surrendering to Christ’s will, which is not only a sin, but is an act of defiance.

            As we set aside the great celebrations of Easter, let’s use this precious time to recalibrate our commitment to Christ.

Questions for personal reflection

Are we willing to become Christ’s captives in order to glorify His victory, or are we still hesitant to let go of what we want, in order to embrace His will?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we want to follow and serve You, but sometimes we are afraid to make a compelling and total commitment to You. Forgive us for being hesitant and help us to stop resisting Your ways. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is John’s latest Easter drawing called “Sacred Son Rise.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: Son Rise.