Manchester - A Christian's Response

Luke 6:9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” (NIV)

            Like most people, I cannot understand why religious extremists think that killing other human beings with suicide bombs will honor God in any shape or form. The evil thoughts that go through these cowards’ minds must be diabolically offensive to the Creator who gave us life – a divine gift which is to be enjoyed, not obliterated. In my opinion, these inhumane acts have no connection to God whatsoever; they emerge from deranged human beings whose allegiance to evil is clearly displayed to the rest of the world. They might think that when they invoke God that they are glorifying His sacred name: all that they are really doing is giving voice to their own cowardly delusions and will end up being separated from God forever.

            In today’s Gospel passage (Luke 6:6-11), Jesus confronts a group of religious extremists who were so shackled by their own rigid rules that they could not even grant grace to a person in need of healing. Jesus both shamed them for their lack of compassion and showed them how God truly operates. Most of the folks who saw this event gladly accepted it for what it was: a beautiful display of God’s love. Sadly, those who most needed that visual lesson retreated behind their religious restrictions and ended up with murder on their minds. Instead of embracing the mercy of God, they hung on to their fanaticism; rather than being released from their self-created chains of legalism, they clung to its links of hatred, pride, and intolerance.

            Despite all of the pain I see in the world and the evil that tries to terrorize us, I believe in the goodness of God, the joy of Jesus, and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit. Others may try to obliterate the love I feel for this broken planet, but I will not give way to the cowardly wickedness that others use to try to break my faith in Christ. His love sustains me and His mercy guides me. He is the Savior of the world and the Healer of the planet, now and forevermore.

Point to ponder

In times like these, how severely is my faith tested? How do I share Christ’s love with others during troubled times?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, we pray for those whose lives have been devastated by the recent suicide bombing in Manchester and other places. Help us to reach out to those in need of help, reassurance, and comfort. Draw us closer to You and one another, so that love and grace will prevail against fear and evil. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

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

Church Conflict devotion: We All Suffer - 1 Corinthians 12:26

1 Corinthians 12:26   If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

For almost a year, I've been part of a Presbytery team that has been in discussions with a small country charge which is seeking to leave the denomination. It’s been a heart-breaking process and one of the most painful pastoral duties I have ever had to do. The congregation wants to leave the PCUSA because the people cannot abide recent policies and decisions that the denomination has established. The wee church wants to cut all existing ties with our Presbytery and go elsewhere.

I understand how they feel, but I also grieve their eventual loss to the Presbytery. At a time when the brokenness of the world needs healed, the disunity of the overall church is making us ineffective across society. When one part of the body of Christ suffers and dismembers itself from the whole, pain is felt throughout the entire body. Instead of concentrating on our strengths, we are highlighting our differences. Instead of celebrating the unity of the Church, we are displaying a disunity that fragments witnessing to our faith.

I grieve the loss of the good people in that small congregation. I wish and pray that we could find areas of common ministry that would enable us to remain together. Sadly, pride gets in the way and passion for religious righteousness hinders any healing. In my heart, I believe that Jesus weeps over what we have become. Instead of truly being the body of Christ, we have created our own bodies; instead of advancing the peace, unity, and purity of the church, we have become enslaved to pride, unrest, and polarization. It’s a crying shame because together we have so much to offer to the world.

Questions for personal reflection

Why did Jesus establish the Church? Why does the world need us to be united in our work for God’s Kingdom?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we are all sinners and not one of us is perfect or pure. Despite our failings, You still call us to serve You in the world. Please help us to stop focusing on the issues that divide us by making us celebrate the beliefs that we commonly share. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a sinner who is grateful for His Savior. John serves Erin Presbyterian Church as its pastor. 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 one of John’s latest drawings called “Butterfly.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/10216052974_b61fb498af_b.jpg

Christian devotions: Discretion - Acts 19:30

Acts 19:30       Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 

In Henry IV, Part One, William Shakespeare had his comic character Falstaff declare the following words: 'The better part of valour is discretion; in the which better part I have saved my life.' Ever since then, the phrase has been commonly used by people in the midst of conflict to apply common sense, in order to avoid escalating any further trouble. To some people, this seems cowardly and ineffective, but to those who have the gift of discernment, this is really the best choice in potentially high risk conflagrations.

The apostle Paul had to be taught this lesson the hard way. His zeal was almost his downfall when riots began in Ephesus over his teaching. An ugly mob began protesting about the success of his ministry which directly affected silversmiths and other tradesmen. At the height of the riot, Paul wanted to stand before the crowd and possibly preach a message about Christ, but his friends and the other disciples in Ephesus would not let him do this. Unlike Paul, they knew that the crowd would have killed him. They decided to restrain the apostle and prevent him from going anywhere near the hostile mob. Discretion was, indeed, the better part of valor, and it certainly saved his life at this moment in time.

There have been moments in my ministry when I have allowed zeal and self-righteousness to cloud my vision as a preacher and teacher. However, the older I get, the more I understand that being passionate about Christ is not the same as being pastoral for Christ. Discernment and discretion connect more with seekers and servants of Christ than religious self-righteousness. It’s taken me years to understand this, but hopefully it’s not too late to live what I have learned.

I wonder if Paul was initially outraged by his friends’ intervention? Probably so, but perhaps he also learned the greater lesson that self-righteous zeal was detrimental to the very cause he was preaching and espousing. As Christians, we all need to be aware of the effect that our words and actions, ways and deeds have on the world and society. If we are too full of zeal and self-righteous indignation, we will weaken our witness. If, however, we decide to be discreet, either by turning the other cheek, or displaying humility, we may reach out to a rising generation that has been largely been turned off to self-centered, navel-gazing, and constantly affronted Christianity.

Questions for personal reflection

Have I sometimes allowed my religious zeal to overcome my faithful witness? What has Christ still to teach me about being with other people?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You could have destroyed the world but instead You died for the world. You could have condemned the people of Your time, but instead You allowed them to crucify You. Your humility healed humanity. Your sacrifice saved our souls. Teach us these truths and help us to share them honestly, prayerfully, and discreetly. 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 message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s 2013 Pentecost series of drawings. It’s called “Pentecost Dawn.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8499310448_1dfb37c6fc_b.jpg

Devotion - Changing Swords - Isaiah 2:4

Isaiah 2:4        He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Two weeks ago I was at a conference in Duluth, Georgia. It was taking place at the world renowned Crosspointe Church and I felt refreshed and renewed in my spirit. I enjoyed the worship and the preaching, the testimonies and faith sharing. It was a very uplifting time and I am now looking forward to next year’s conference.

On the last day of the conference, I was listening to a conversation by one of the deacons at the church. He was explaining to a visitor that the church building used to be a Sidewinder missile factory thirty years ago during President Reagan’s administration. After the taking down of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent thawing of the Cold War, the factory was no longer needed. Eventually, the growing Crosspointe congregation bought the building and converted it into an amazing church space, where thousands of people gather each week to praise the Lord. Instead of a place of death and destruction, it has become a house of peace and prayer. The Lord has truly turned swords into plowshares!

In our own lives, we go through times of conflict and argument, disagreement and trouble. We fall out with family and friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Our hearts become hardened and our tongues fire verbal missiles that are meant to hurt, anger, or upset other people.

God wants to turn the swords of our spirits into plowshares of peace. As always, He has the power to make those changes, but we need to begin the process by swallowing our pride, humbling ourselves, and acting upon God’s guidance.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace to our planet and the Healer of the Nations. We pray that You will help us overcome the conflicts and disputes in our lives by leading us with Your Spirit to resolve the differences and disagreements we have with others. 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 on today’s message, or ask a question about it, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest stained glass designs of a Siochain – a Celtic Peace Cross. If you would like to view a larger version of it, please click on the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6113973739_53680e29ee_b.jpg

4 Minute Daily Devotions: Compassion for a Killer

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

There’s been a lot of outrage expressed on both sides of the Atlantic about the Scottish Secretary of Justice’s decision to release the convicted Libyan bomber of Pan-Am Flight 103. Radio Talk shows and newspapers, TV and cable news networks have been reporting on the outburst of anger and the cries of injustice that have been heard across the land.

Families from both the United States and Lockerbie, Scotland have been interviewed. Reports of their dismay and frustration have been circulated across the Web. Many have called for the resignation of the Secretary of Justice, as well as expressing their hope that the bomber Megrahi dies a slow and painful death. And, as if to rub salt in the wounds, Megrahi’s heroic homecoming in Libya was too much to take.

I remember the night of the bombing very well. All of our churches in Maybole, Scotland had been celebrating an inter-denominational Christmas service at the Old Kirk. My pastor friend Colin, who preached the sermon, had even put a garland of tinsel in his hair. I think I was wearing a Santa helper’s hat as well. It was a wonderful service and we all went home joyfully praising God.

And then it happened. Our celebrations were over. The whole of Scotland was shocked. Lockerbie was engulfed in flames. If the bomb had gone off fifteen minutes later, it probably would have hit Maybole, which was directly under the flight path.

The Scottish people were outraged and demanded that the bombers, if caught, be brought to trial in Scotland. Megrahi was eventually caught and sentenced to life imprisonment. The evidence against him was questionable and it seemed as though he was being scapegoated by the real perpetrators of the horrific bombing. Indeed, some of the British families, who lost loved ones in the bombing, campaigned on Megrahi’s behalf for a second appeal. It was recently denied by the Law Courts, so Megrahi was expected to languish and die in prison.

He’s suffering from a terminal condition and isn’t expected to live much longer. The Secretary of Justice released him on grounds of compassion, which is that great gift of God given to us through the suffering of Christ. Compassion, like mercy, is not given because anyone deserves it, but because someone needs it. Many are outraged and wonder why such a heinous killer of innocent people is being given his freedom. But that’s what compassion is – the turning of the other cheek, along with loving our enemies. It’s hard to practice, justify, or even accept.

I think Lord McCluskey, a retired Scottish judge, whom I admire greatly, summed it up best when he said: "There is no reason for us not to show compassion – apart from revenge, which isn't the sweetest of virtues."

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we honestly do not understand why evil occurs in the world, nor do we fully comprehend why evil people prevail at times. You give us a very weak weapon in the world’s eyes to confront and overcome evil: compassion. Help us to accept that this is our calling as Christians, especially when it is least popular. 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 on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.