3-22-2016

Good Morning All!!

         Luke 21:37; “And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet.”

      So if you knew that you were going to die in the next few days, how would you spend your time?  I know some have used the “24 hours” question as community builder in small group settings but here you have 5 days.  What would you do?  Would you contact all your old friends, would you go someplace you always wanted to go?  You are physically strong yet and quite capable so what do you do?  Well as near as we can tell, Jesus spent most of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week teaching in the Temple.  The last few days of his life, Jesus spent in the Temple teaching.  He taught his disciples, his other followers, the Pharisees who would listen; actually anyone who would listen heard the lessons.

     What did he teach?  He taught a couple of parables, predicted the destruction of the Temple, had supper with Simon the leper that we know of.  He was teaching, preaching trying to bring healing to those who were hurting.  Even as he knew, contemplated and spoke of his impending death he tried to save others.  Yet this really should not surprise us too much; even as he was dying on the cross he brought healing to his mother and hope to a dying criminal.  He spoke forgiveness even to those who were most instrumental in convicting him of his “crimes”.

    Yet this was what Jesus’ whole ministry here on earth was about; he came to bring healing, hope, forgiveness and life.  He came to redeem the lost and broken sinner and never stopped the entire time he was on this earth.  He taught, he healed, he gave hope and life.  He never stopped and he still hasn’t.  He still continues to bring healing and hope to a broken world.

    This should always give us hope and comfort.  Maybe there is someone in your life who keeps resisting listening about Jesus or they keep telling you they will talk later; don’t give up!  There is never an end to our witnessing.  Keep telling them, keep witnessing, keep praying keep planting the seed.  Jesus never stops working on the heart.  The Holy Spirit never stops working on them either.  It may take a lifetime but it is never too late.  Jesus never stops so we should never lose hope.

    This is true if you are the one who feels no hope.  It may take you a lifetime to stop and listen to what the Spirit is saying but it is never too late.  Jesus spent his lifetime here on earth to bring you healing; he can wait your lifetime to stop the struggle, stop the fear, end the sorrow and trust his promise of salvation.  Believe him, that’s it.  Believe that his death on the cross paid for all those sins that hold you down and crush your spirit.  Believe, find comfort, find hope, find rest in His loving arms.  It is never too late.

Gracious Father, we pray for all who are lost or feel lost.  We keep praying that they will hear your voice and know your comfort.  Send your Spirit to bring the comfort and hope that is so desperately needed.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret