12-30-2019

       Good Morning All, 

         Luke 22:41; “And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed”

    How far is that?  How far is “a stone’s throw”?  Now we would think that there are many things to consider, like how much does the stone weigh?  A baseball weighs not less than 5 ounces and not more than 5.25 ounces.  Many years ago, I could throw a baseball about 250 feet but that was a baseball not a rock.  Most rocks weigh more than that so the distance would be less.  In fact, if I went out today and picked up a stone and threw it; I would probably be lucky to throw it 20 feet; more than likely it would be less than that.  How far is a stone’s throw?  Not very far.

    Even he was approaching the lowest point in his life; Jesus was still staying close to his disciples.  Even as his agony was increasing; his compassion for his disciples was first and foremost in his mind.  Even in his time of despair and suffering; he tended to the needs of the disciples.  He may have been saddened that they were unable to remain awake with him through this tough night, but he never abandoned them.  Even when later they all ran away; he was with them, protecting them from the arrows of the devil.

    At no time in your life is Jesus ever more than a stone’s throw away from you.  No matter how painful or sorrowful we may feel; Jesus is always close by.  He is always near us.  He is the ever-present presence of God’s love for us.  It is by his love for us that we are saved; it is by his love for us that we are kept safe.  He has claimed us as his own and has promised to never abandon us.

    So, if you are facing a difficult time in your life, know that you do not have to face it alone.  You do not have to fear the future because the future rests in the loving hands of God.  Your future is secure because of God’s great love for you.  As we go through this Lenten season, instead of focusing on the suffering of Jesus; see it as an example of God’s love for you.  God was willing to have his only Son become human; to live the life of a man who was under the Law so that his sacrifice would be all sufficient for all the sins to be paid.  By doing so, we are no longer outcasts, we are his beloved children.  He will never forsake us or leave us.  We will never be separated from his love.  He is never more than a stone’s throw away.

    So, we can face today knowing that our loving God is always right next to us.  We can know that we never need to stand alone and face the fury of the devil.  Jesus has defeated the devil and has given to us the power to tell the devil to leave us alone.  The devil’s attacks are empty; the only way he wins is if you or I turn away from Jesus and fail to see and to seek God’s incredible grace.  It is less than a stone’s throw away.

Father of all mercy, you are always near me.  Your Spirit renews me and secures my future.  I no longer have to fear that which I do not see or understand for you are always with me.  Be with those who do not know this comforting truth or do not trust it.  Give them your peace.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret