Like One of Us - John 4:6

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 noon day 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.

Shiloh Battlefield - Hebrews 5:8-9

Jeremiah 6:4   “Prepare for battle against her! Arise, let us attack at noon! But, alas, the daylight is fading, and the shadows of evening grow long.”

Hebrews 5:8-9   Son though he was, Christ learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. 

            This morning, I’m going to visit the Shiloh Military National Park in Tennessee. It was the scene of one of the fiercest 2-day battles of the Civil War and had a major impact on the Western front of the conflict. I’ve never been to a Civil War battlefield, so I don’t know what to expect. I have, however, done my homework, and know a lot of what took place.

            My views on the American Civil War are much the same as the opinions I have about the Scottish War of independence in the 14^th century. Both wars were about freeing a people from slavery and oppression; both conflicts changed each nation, Scotland and the United States, forever.

            Sometimes we are called to battle bravely and fight fiercely for the things and people we hold dear to our hearts. I’m also reminded of the fact that Jesus fought a battle to free us from the slavery of sin and its consequence of death. In this regard, Jesus became both our Commander-in-Chief and Sacred Soldier on the Field. He not only followed the commands of His Father in Heaven, He also confronted and defeated evil on the Cross at Calvary. We are given the freedom to place our faith in Him, and are also offered the spoils of war: the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with God.

            I’ll probably be profoundly affected by what I read, see, and experience at Shiloh today, but it will also help me to reflect on how my life has been forever affected and eternally influenced by what I’ve read, seen, and experienced with Jesus Christ as My Savior and Lord.

            May we all be blessed with the goodness of God and the love of Jesus this day.

Today’s image is an abstract drawing of John’s called, “The Blue and the Gray.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Blue Gray.

Church devotion: The Talent Business - Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:21        His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!”

            Churches are in the talent business. I don’t mean that we’re focused on show business or performance arts (although at Erin we do this very well through our Creative Arts ministries); I’m talking about the biblical meaning of talents, which in this parable of Christ refers to talents of gold. Jesus told this story (Matthew 25:14-30) to convey what’s expected of His followers, as well as what God expects of everyone who is given the gift of life.

            We all have talents and throughout life we are given many opportunities to use or display them. Some people are extroverts and others are introverts, but both types of people have talents that are essential to the witness of the Church in the world. Usually, the extroverts are the team leaders, teachers, and elders in a congregation and their roles are crucial to the forward development of the church. The introverts are frequently the compassionate comforters, praying people, and fellowship feeders whose roles are equally crucial in the pastoral continuity of any congregation. Both have different sets of talents, but when they are combined successfully, churches become effective vehicles of Christ’s message and God’s love.

            As you read this today, ask God to make you aware of the particular talents that He has given you, and then ask Him to give you opportunities to use those talents to help the church, as well as the community that you live in. You are a child of God’s love and grace; use this blessing to help others receive and experience it, too.

Questions for personal reflection

What am I good at? How can I use that skill to benefit others, and bless the work of God?

Prayer:           Lord Jesus, thank You for the gifts of faith, hope, and love that You give to all of Your followers. Help us to use those blessings as ways and means of helping our loved ones and other people in their times of need and support. Grant us opportunities to reach out to those who feel let down, disappointed, or forsaken. 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 ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please feel free to send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest snowman drawings. It’s called “Winter Cheer.” If you would like to view a larger version, please visit the following link: Snowman.