Sunday Shorts - For the World

John 6:51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

            The main Olympics have come to an end, but soon the Paralympics will begin. Both of these major worldwide events invite athletes from all over the globe to compete against their peers in their specialized sports. It’s a remarkable spectacle over several weeks and one that truly represents the agility, diversity, and ability of each participant. They give their all for their represented nation in the hope of winning a medal not just for themselves, but for the people they represent. The athletes are focused on their chosen events and take a great deal of pride in performing at their fastest, strongest, and best. When they succeed and climb on the podium to receive their well-deserved medals, they are elated and the crowd of watching spectators cheer and applaud them. They have given their lives to their sport, so they bask in their triumphs and celebrate their victories which have made them famous.

            Jesus also gave His life, not for fame or a nation, but for the entire world. The only podium that He was given was nailed beneath His crucified feet to prolong His painful death. The only medal He received was a crown of thorns that caused Him to bleed profusely. The crowd of spectators around and below the Cross, jeered and attacked Him. His enemies were elated as He was humiliated. His foes were thankful because His death was disgraceful. And yet, despite the spite and however great the hate, Jesus gave His all and died for them. He came down from heaven and offered them the bread of eternal life; His broken body on the Cross which He freely gave for the life of the world.

            After the Olympics are over, the athletes will return to their own nations to be lauded and applauded for a while. Eventually, their achievements will become a part of sporting history but within two or three generations, they will largely be forgotten. Christ, however, will still be praised for giving His life for the world until Time and History are no more. And then Jesus will be eternally praised and celebrated by those who choose to follow Him faithfully and serve Him daily with their lives. Remember, Christ gave all so that we might gain all. Hallelujah!

Point to ponder: How did Christ’s sacrifice succeed in earning me my salvation?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your victory over sin and death has blessed us with forgiveness and faith. We live in hope because You won the battle for us. We are thankful for Your sacrifice and grateful for Your Love. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

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

Half Time Devotion: A Godly Promise - Haggai 2:5

Haggai 2:5 ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’ (NIV)

            I love watching the Super Bowl. When I lived in Scotland, I started watching live broadcasts of this great sporting final during the 1980s. From the get-go, I have loved the game and since then I haven’t missed this annual spectacular televised event. Now that I live here in the United States, I get caught up in the team rivalries during the football season, but no matter who appears in the Super Bowl, I root for the game itself which is a wonderful display of athletic strength, coordinated teamwork, and skillful strategies.

            As both teams enter the field, the players all have one aspiration: to win the game. In the locker room, the coaches have just given them the last of their inspiring words and positive affirmations about the need for commitment, dedication, and unity on the field to ensure victory. In the end, the team that is most determined and consistent will usually claim the win.

            Today’s verse from Haggai contains some inspiring words that God gave to His people during troubled times. The prophet conveyed the blessing of God’s constant presence and reassured them that His Spirit would remain with them. The outcome of this promise was that they did not have to fear what lay head; they just had to trust God’s words, as well as His consistent ways.

            That promise is still with us today. We may be facing some new issues in our lives, our homes, our work, and even our church, but no matter what lies ahead of us, God’s constant presence through Christ will be there to guide and support us, to reassure and lead us.

Point to ponder

What challenges am I currently experiencing? Where is God in the midst of them?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the presence of Your Spirit in our lives. Bless us with Your guidance and love, so that we may overcome whatever problems or concerns are currently happening. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is another of John’s Celtic Crosses called ‘Celtic Spring.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Spring.

Sports Devotion - Olympic Christians - 2 Timothy 2:5

2 Timothy 2:5  Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. (NIV)

            In 2016, the international sports community decided to uphold the Olympic ban on Russian track and field athletes, which came as no real surprise. A culture of doping athletes in Russia had been going on for decades. The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sports probably had some political consequences, but under the circumstances, it was the correct thing to do. Leveling the playing field for all athletes ensured that all of the competing nations had an opportunity to gain medals. To win events by cheating dishonored the whole Olympic ideal, so, hopefully, that punitive ban of one of the major athletic countries in the world perhaps began a new phase of cleaning up all kinds of sporting events by seriously expelling the worst drug offenders.

            When Paul wrote to Timothy about passing on the Christian faith to the next generation, he emphasized the importance of following Christ’s teaching and adhering to His truth. Paul’s example of a successful athlete gaining a crown by keeping to the rules was his way of describing how important it is to live a life of faith by sustaining basic Christian standards. Paul was concerned that the younger generation of Christians might be led astray through following their own ideas and choosing their own options. As an Apostolic teacher, he wanted to ensure that Timothy would maintain the core principles of Christianity so that the faith would grow in strength and influence.

            Paul’s words to Timothy are still relevant in our lives and churches today. We have to be careful about what we believe and how we live our faith. The world needs Christ’s compassion, mercy, and love as much now as it did way back then. If we remain true to the teachings of Jesus and continue to follow His ways, we will have the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact in our communities and across this planet.

Questions for personal reflection

What are my basic Christian beliefs? How do I express them to others?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Enable us to follow Your Way, embrace Your Truth, and live Your Life so that we may encourage others to do the same. 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 comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

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