Sunday Shorts: Three Old Men

Sunday Shorts: Three Old Men

John 3:1-2 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

The older I get, the more that I want to learn about Jesus and read about God. As a pastor for almost forty years, I thought that I knew a lot, but I now realize that there's infinitely more to learn about Christ and more to experience about God than I could ever dream or imagine. This doesn't daunt me or make me feel foolish; instead, God intrigues me and Christ excites more than I could ever have believed. Being old is a beautiful time to reflect on the gospels, as well as to share them, which is what motivated two other old men: the apostle John and Nicodemus.

When John was an old man, he could look back on his decades as a disciple of Christ and remember some of the encounters that Jesus had with other people. Christ's personal touch was important to John. Many of the folks who had first-hand experiences with the Lord were passing on to the next world, and he knew that he would also soon be joining them, so he wanted the new generations of Christians to experience what Jesus was like by recording several individual conversations that Christ had with exceptional people.

In the Gospel story from John 3:1-17, a rabbi called Nicodemus came to ask Jesus some important questions. He arrived at night, perhaps tired after a long day of working for God, or maybe secretly because of the other Pharisees' negative opinion of Jesus.

During the conversation, Jesus answers several questions lovingly and truthfully. There appears to be a lot of mutual respect taking place. Later on, Jesus may have told His disciples about the conversation, or Nicodemus may have told them after he became a follower of Jesus. Either way, John had a firsthand account of what was discussed, and he never forgot what he had been told. It was a life-changing moment for the old teacher; it was where his personal discipleship with Christ began. It is good that John recorded the conversation in his gospel, because John 3:16 is where a lot of people's relationship with God has also begun.

Point to ponder: How much time do I set aside to ponder God and think about Christ?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there is so much about You that we have yet to experience, as well as so much that we can glean from the personal conversations that You had with people long ago. In the quietness of our nights, after our work is done, speak plainly and gently to our souls. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, he will be delighted to read your emails which you can send to stushie57@outlook.com.

Sunday Shorts: The One Who Waited

Sunday Shorts: The One Who Waited

John 20:27      Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

I think most of us love the story of Doubting Thomas because we can identify with him. He missed out on being with the disciples when Jesus was resurrected and suddenly appeared in the upper room. Thomas must have been in hiding somewhere else and didn’t feel safe in the company of the others; after all, one of them had already betrayed Jesus, so who was to say that another of the twelve wouldn’t do the same?

            Eventually, Thomas felt it was safe to go back to the band of followers, but when he got there, instead of being relieved, he is perplexed with the other disciples because they all seem deluded and keep talking about Jesus being alive again. Thomas cannot accept this and even if it was true, he’s probably angry with himself for not being there when Jesus appeared. He also declares that if Jesus was standing in front of him, Thomas would still not believe it unless he could touch Christ’s nail pierced hands, as well as fingering His side where a spear had been thrust.

            A week later, Jesus reappears just for the sake of canceling Thomas’ doubts and enabling him to believe again. Christ is determined to get the doubter back on the right path. It’s a wonderful moment, not just of resurrection, but of restoration, too. Jesus restores Thomas’ faith, as well as his rightful place among the Chosen Eleven.

            But here’s the thing: Thomas remained with the other disciples for several days before Jesus reappeared. He could have gone away again and stayed angry with the others, believing that they were deluded because Christ had definitely died. Despite having all of those doubts, he remained connected to the family of faith that he had known for three years. He may have given up hope about Jesus, but he did not let go of the friendship and fellowship he had known with the others.

            I think this is why Jesus came back – to bless Thomas’ loyalty to the others, just as much to show him that Christ was alive. Perhaps instead of calling Thomas ‘the One Who Doubted’, we should remember him as Thomas ‘the One Who Waited.’ And maybe this is also why we relate so much with him – we all have our doubts about our faith, but we still are waiting for Jesus to either return among us, or to eternally restore us to God’s favor, love, and kingdom.

Point to ponder: What doubts do I have about Jesus? What keeps me waiting for Him?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, like Thomas, we find Your resurrection unbelievable and mysterious, and yet we remain hopeful of Your return and await being restored to You forever. Consolidate our faith; when we are weak, please be our strength; when we have doubts, please remain with us. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Short devotion: A Key Moment - Luke 7:50

 

A Key Moment

 Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (NIV)

 I’ve made many mistakes through the years, both foolish and sinful, so I often look to Jesus not just to accept and forgive me, but to fully understand my failures and to re-direct me onto the path that He hopes I will follow. Every day, when I talk to Christ in prayer, I ask for His grace because I know I don’t deserve it and I never want to take such a blessing for granted. It would be so easy just to let go of the past and convince myself that I’m not as bad as other people, but it bothers me because I recognize how much Jesus has sacrificed in order to forgive me.

 When Jesus forgave the woman in the story that is described in Luke 7:36-50, I see how much of an effort it took the woman to humble herself before Jesus and be humiliated by others around Him. She recognized that Christ was the only one who could cleanse her of the past, accept her in the present, and allow her a better future. He was the key that would unlock her from the past mistakes that imprisoned her mentally and spiritually; He was the one last opportunity that she had of being healed from her sins and restored to God’s favor; so she gave Him her painful tears and treasured perfume in the hope of receiving mercy and grace.

 I love how Jesus compassionately responds: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” He grants her the forgiveness she needs, but He also adds peace – the great shalom – to her mind, heart, body, and soul. No matter what she had done in the past, from that sacred moment she was fully restored as a child of God’s grace which is what we all want when we seek God’s mercy through Jesus.

 No matter who you are or what you’ve done, please know this: Christ forgives because He cares. Your faith can save you and you can know peace this day: just ask Jesus.

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about us and how we are deeply affected by guilt and sorely troubled with regret. Allow us Your forgiveness and reset us on a path to peace. In Your Holy Name, we humbly ask and pray. Amen.

 John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Check out the church at its website: www.erinpres.org.

 Today’s image is one of John’s latest lectionary drawings called “Water into Wine.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Waterwine.

Online Sermon: Serving All - Mark 9:30-37

What does it mean to accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord? A sermon based on Mark 9:30-37.

Online Sermon: Who Am I? - Mark 8:27-38

Who is Jesus in our lives and how can we effectively follow Him today? Part 1 of a 4-week series on being a member of Christ's Church. Based on Mark 8:27-38.

Same Old, Same Old - Romans 7:19

Romans 7:19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. (NIV)

Let’s be honest, we all struggle with sin. All of us have a selfish habit or shameful secret in our lives. We try to deal with it and often come to God asking for forgiveness, understanding, and support. We look for His grace to allow us to start again; we seek His mercy to blot out our mistakes. Things go well for a while, but then we fall into the same old ways and sin again. It’s a recurring pattern and one that possibly frustrates us because we have failed to live up to our promises to God.

When I read today’s Bible verse, it made me realize that the great Apostle Paul struggled with sin and selfishness, too. He even confessed it to the young Roman church – a congregation that he was trying to impress! By admitting that he kept doing the wrong things, Paul was opening himself up to ridicule and shame. At the same time, however, he was also showing them that he was imperfect, a sinner in need of God’s grace, a fallen follower who required Christ’s help.

In a strange way, this personally gives me hope because an amazing leader like Paul can understand my struggle with sin, as well as the sins we are all struggling with each day.

In the end, Paul comes to God again and expresses his gratefulness for being permitted to confess his fault in order to receive grace. As he enthusiastically writes in the same letter to the Roman Christians,

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25)

Point to ponder

What personal sin am I frequently and currently struggling with? Am I willing to sincerely confess my fault before God? Am I thankful for Christ’s grace?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we all make mistakes and fall short of God’s expectations. We all struggle with personal sins and reject opportunities to be and do good. Forgive our failures and help us to overcome our faults. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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

Today’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called “Sin Bearer.” If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: SinBearer.

Misunderstood - Mark 8:21

Mark 8:21 Jesus said to them, “Do you still not understand?” (NIV)

            It took me years to understand that Jesus was guiding me throughout my wasted teenage years to a time and a place where I would give my life over to Him. Like the disciples in today’s Gospel story (Mark 8:14-21), I took Christ’s blessings for granted and didn’t pay attention to the source of guidance and goodness that He was giving me. It was only when I became a pastor that I truly understood what He was doing in what I call my ‘wilderness years’. Christ had a plan for me, but I didn’t know it way back then.

            Jesus asks the question in today’s highlighted verse because the disciples thought He was referring to the amount of bread they had forgotten to take from the baskets of left-overs in the miraculous feeding of thousands of people. Jesus had warned them to beware of the yeast - fake news - that both the Pharisees and King Herod’s supporters were spreading among the people. Both groups were conspiring to oppose Christ’s ministry; Jesus wanted the Twelve to be fully informed and, therefore, fully armed against what the future would bring. Unfortunately, the disciples misunderstood and thought Jesus was rebuking them for leaving the baskets of bread behind. They took His miraculous blessings for granted and, albeit unintentionally, diminished His ministry.

            I think we all take Jesus for granted in our lives because He gives us so much grace, forgiveness, and love. When we need help, we say a prayer and for guidance, but how thankful are we when He gives us what we need? When we look for His blessing over something new or something that’s important to us, how do we respond when his grace is given? And when we need Jesus to forgive us for our mistakes, how do we treat Him when He pardons us? Do we still misunderstand His ways, or are we ready to faithfully embrace His teaching and serve Him?

Point to ponder

What do I personally owe to Jesus this week?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we daily seek to follow You and makes sense of our lives through Your many blessings. Help us to understand Your ways in the world and accept the lessons You would have us apply in our lives. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

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

Today’s drawing is one of John’s early Gospel drawings called ‘Emmaus Bread.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Emmaus.

It Makes Me Wonder - Genesis 22:14

Genesis 22:14  “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” (NIV)

            I like to see people enjoying their families, whether it is at church, in a park, or even on Facebook. To look at the delight and love that parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts bestow upon children of all ages are wonderful gifts and they make me happy to be in the world today. I grew up in poverty and experienced some very sad circumstances, but the best of my memories from childhood are of those times and moments of joy, happiness, and love that my parents, relatives, and siblings shared.

            I find the biblical story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac in Genesis 22 very difficult to embrace and comprehend. I’m thankful for the happy ending, but I’m troubled by the unquestioning devotion Abraham gives to God. It seems like uncontrolled religious fanaticism to me and I wonder how that strange and bewildering moment affected the future relationship between father and son. The fact that we don’t have many events recorded about Isaac’s later life, as compared to both Abraham and Jacob, makes me think that Isaac could have been a very subdued and introverted person due to the emotional trauma he experienced by almost being sacrificed by his dad.

            I know that the story appears to be a scriptural precursor and dramatic prophecy of Christ’s sacrificial crucifixion at Calvary, with God and Jesus filling the roles of Abraham and Isaac respectively, but even that doesn’t diminish the perplexity I feel about the original Abrahamic episode. It does, however, leave me with a healthy repugnance of religious fundamentalism of any faith on Earth, which can tragically mutate into an inhumane cruelty and even insanely justify killing other people in the name of God.

Point to ponder

How do I display my faith to my family?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, help us to receive God’s work of salvation as described in the Bible, even when some things and events really mystify us. Keep us faithful to Your ministry on Earth, but protect us from becoming over-zealous and unloving. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called “Redeemer.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Redeemer.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org. The congregation would be delighted to see you at our Sunday worship services at 11:00 AM or at any other time. J

Church Devotion: As Was His Custom - Luke 4:16

Luke 4:16      Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 

            ‘As was his custom’ – four little words that contain a powerful message. Jesus went to the synagogue every Sabbath. For Christians, the equivalent would mean being in a church every Sunday. Every Sunday, unless you are ill, or caring for someone who is sick, grieving, or physically unable to go. No excuses, no reasons, no other things to do, or too busy to go. Every Sunday.

            And yet when pastors preach, teach, write, or blog this, there is an instant push back. “You can’t mean every Sunday?” “Isn't once a month, or several times a year enough?” “We’re too tired to get up on a Sunday morning.” “We've too much going on.” “We've got sports meetings to attend.” “It’s a beautiful day, so can’t we just worship God in the mountains, at a beach, or even over at the mall?” Every Sunday, are you sure???

‘On the Sabbath day, Jesus went to the synagogue, as was his custom.’

            If we are Christians, we are meant to follow Christ, so guess where He’ll be on Sundays? With His Bride, the Church, praising God – every Sunday.

            Question:      How often am I in church on Sundays?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, forgive us for our short comings with regard to how we practice our faith. You constantly challenge us about church, but sometimes we push back, justifying our complacency and defending our decisions. Pardon us for being fair-weather followers and convenient Christians. Help us to recommit our lives in service and worship of You. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian 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 latest Celtic Christian drawings called ‘Spirit of the Celts.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Celts.