Daily devotions: Cabbages and Kings - Mark 1:15

Mark 1:15       "The time has come," Jesus said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

For some absurd reason, this Gospel verse always reminds me of Lewis Carroll’s poem, “The Walrus and the Carpenter” from Alice’s second adventure “Through the Looking Glass.” I think it’s because both Jesus and the walrus use the same words: ‘the time has come.’ Christ uses them to proclaim the beginning of His ministry, whereas the walrus uses them to talk about nonsense:

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

As an adult, I still enjoy what Carroll has written, but as a Christian I rejoice with what Christ has proclaimed. His ministry began almost two thousand years ago and it is still being fulfilled all over the world today. Sadly, some people will treat Christ’s words as nonsense and miss out on the greatest opportunity to restore themselves to God, as well as extending their existence into eternity. However, billions of people will take up the invitation and one day will be welcomed into Christ’s presence and God’s kingdom. All of our questions will finally be answered and our lives will be completely fulfilled. The time for Christ’s ministry and message to be proclaimed has come; the question we need to ask ourselves is this: with whom can I share this wonderful invitation today?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness and restoration, of healing and new life. You are the Holy One of God who brought all of God’s goodness, mercy, and love to us through Your teaching, Your sacrifice, and Your resurrection. Thank You, Lord Jesus. In Your Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest chess drawings. It’s called “Battle Box” and will be part of a Spring exhibition of his works in a downtown Knoxville coffee shop. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6813390398_0f8e8ddf68_b.jpg

Gospel devotions: Loving Our Loved Ones - 2 Thessalonians 2

2 Thessalonians 2:10b They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 

I have a burden in my heart for much of my family and some of my friends. The burden involves their salvation. I know that I am far from perfect and a sinner of sinners, but sometimes my fear for those I love dearly is expressed in this question: do they love the truth about Jesus, or will they perish because they don’t know Him at all?

A lot of people have what I term ‘a Sunday school notion’ about Christ. They remember His parables and miracles. They recall His birth, life, and death but they never really get to know the Living Christ in their heart, minds, and lives. I hate to think about where they will end up after death, but if they don’t do something with the knowledge that they have of Christ, they will not end up in heaven.

Some people may be thinking, ‘Hey John, that’s very judgmental of you,’ but it isn’t: it’s actually being consistent with what the Scriptures teach us. Those who seem to imagine that as long as they intend to do something about it, but don’t get round to actually believing in Christ, think that God will exempt them from His Final Judgment. That kind of thinking leads to nowhere – except to the gates of hell.

Now I don’t need to be contentious – I’ve had enough theological tussling in my days – but I do mean to be blunt and candid: are their loved ones in your life, just as there are in my own, who know of Jesus and yet they’ve never given their hearts or lives to Him? Then what are we going to do about it?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we have many loved ones in our lives, both kith and kin, who have not yet committed their lives to You. Grant us words and ways that will convince them to personally discover who You really are, so that they will one day experience the everlasting joys of salvation. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, or ask a question about it, please send him an email to him at pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Please also feel free to forward this message to any of your friends and family. Today’s image is an old abstract drawing of John’s called “Crossing Over,” which depicts the journey of the soul passing through the Cross of Christ to Everlasting Life. If you would like to view a larger version of this picture, please click on the following link:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/75/208654420_3eab83b2de_o.jpg