3-7-2014

   Good Morning to All,

John 3:16; “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

     It was an amazing event to attend.  The man was clearly slowing down but at the age of 93; he had the right.  He was one of the most respected theologians ever.  He had a bachelor’s degree in theology as was his masters’ and doctorate.  He had studied and taught at all the prestigious universities all over the world.  He had taught at Oxford, Yale Divinity, and Notre Dame.  He had numerous honorary degrees along with all the real ones.

    He was retiring from all teaching.  He had been emeritus for a number of years but his love for the Bible and his yearning to learn and to teach were so powerful that he simply wouldn’t quit.  There were many days when the candidates who were writing their doctoral theses would sit around and listen to him speak of his studies.  He could take one verb in a verse and teach about the intricacies of God’s love revealed to us by that one verb.  But today he was finally going to be done.  He was receiving one last award from the school where he had served as the dean of theological studies for over 20 years.  He shook hands with the President of the University and walked up to the podium.  He looked out at the hundreds of colleagues, friends, students and well-wishers.  This was going to be his final sermon.

    So as he stood there looking out on all these people; he began to smile.  He started in with a low and strong baritone voice.  He began with the statement, “I have studied God’s Word for over 70 years.  I have studied with the greatest theologians of the world.  I have studied and studied and as my last sermon I want to share with you the absolute greatest biblical truth ever.”  All those in attendance began digging for paper to write on, they placed their phones on video recording; no one wanted to miss what this brilliant man had to say.  There was not a single sound in the auditorium as they waited for him to speak again.  He looked and smiled.

    I want to give credit to the instructor who first revealed this to me.  In all my studies nothing has ever surpassed this.  So I would like to thank Mrs. Henderson, my kindergarten Sunday School teacher.  He stopped, took a drink of water and then began to sing in a very strong baritone voice. “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so; little ones to him belong they are weak but he is strong.  Yes Jesus loves me; yes Jesus loves; yes Jesus loves me; the Bible tells me so.”  He smiled, said thank you and then went and sat down. 

    There was stunned silence, after about 45 seconds, he stood and went back to the podium.  “It really is that simple; no matter how much you study, never, never, never, ever, no not ever can you forget that single truth.  Everything else pales in importance and everything else is of no value.  Without God’s love, we have nothing.”

Gracious Father, we give you thanks for your incredible mercy, that unending and undying love that you have for us.  Help us to cling to that love and to believe you when you call us your dear children.  Father, your love prevails.  Be with those who do not know this love.  Bring them home.  In the loving name of Jesus we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret