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Listen while you read: "Jesus Loves Even Me"1 (Lyrics)

Matthew 7:1 – Judge not, that ye be not judged. (KJV)

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 – Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (KJV)

This devotional has been running around my mind and onto several pieces of paper several times for months, and in that time, horrendous wars have erupted in the world with unspeakable atrocities committed. So the irony and seriousness of what I write has intensified. It is this:

For the better part of the past five years, I have travelled from Vancouver Island to the mainland of British Columbia, Canada, at least twice a month for a week at a time to care for our youngest grandchildren. The trip is two hours by ferry, an hour by bus, and a five-block walk to their home.

One day, now many months ago, while on the bus, a young gentleman, with a huge backpack and some other gear, gave up his seat and moved to another one, three separate times, to let seniors sit down, one of whom had a disability.

The last move put him right beside me, at which I said, "Boy, you're sure playing musical chairs today, aren't you!"

"Musical chairs?" he asked. "What is this?" So I began to explain that it was an age-old game in which a group of children walk around chairs to music … "Ah!" he said, twirling his fingers in a circle. "And when the music stops, you sit down, but one is left out." "Yes!" I replied.

"I am German," he said, "and we call this 'Journey to Jerusalem'; I do not know why." Not only did I not know why, I'd not ever heard of it.

Arriving back home, I googled "Journey to Jerusalem" and found that the game is played by that name around the world, and it is as old as the ages, sometimes called "Trip to Jerusalem". Though the origin is unclear, it is thought to date back possibly to the Crusades.

Was his term right? Was mine? Were we not both seeing that they were one and the same?

We share so many of the same foods, games, flowers, plants and other things with so many other countries, each with their own names, but all the same. Instead of anyone insisting their way/definition is right, we need to be accepting that many are one and the same.

Is this not true also of our God – our Father, the Holy Spirit, and so many other terms by which He is addressed? A wise rabbi decades ago said, "We are all called to the same table; we just sit in different chairs." Jesus has said:

John 14:2-3,6 – In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, guide us to a place of accepting one another's differences yet samenesses. Lead us to press for peace. Much fighting and many wars never prove or solve anything; they just leave indelible destruction in their wake. In Jesus' name, we pray and give thanks for each and every day. Amen.

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About the author:

Mary Daniel <marydee@shaw.ca>
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Thanks Mary for a good thought.


    Great to “hear” from you again. Missed you!!


    Oh, a very definite AMEN to that prayer, Mary. Thank you.


    Dear Mary;
    That was an awesome devotional. Amen and amen!


    Thank you Mary for “Not what I think” but for what JESUS WAS, IS AND WILL BE!
    Be covered with His Peace!


    Hi Mary,
    Glad you are still contribuing to share your insight.
    Blessings.


    What an interesting and educational Devotional — I had not heard of “journey to Jerusalem” either!
    Do continue to write.
    God bless.


    Very Interesting Mary,
    I enjoyed your treatment of 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. Yes, we all have diversities of gifts – but there is only one LORD.
    Praise God, and for and reminding us.
    May God richly bless you.


    Dear Mary,
    Although there are so many differences and “samenesses” among peoples of the world, there is one simple and profound Way to Life, and you have touched upon it in:
    I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
    Thank you.
    Keep writing.


    Hi Mary,
    I learned something new this morning. We lived in Austria for a few years and our youngest child went to the Austrian Kindergarten but she never came home to tell us that they had played “Reise nach Jerusalem” (I looked it up, that is what it is called in German) It is also played in Austria but the origin of the title seems to have been lost over time.


    As I read your words and was coming to the end this thought came to me.
    How any people would give up there seat for another? And as for war I thought of David. He went off to war every year sort of like it was hunting season. I might add, when didn’t he got into trouble!!
    Oh Mary it certainly is a mixed up world.
    Good to see you back on the block.
    God Bless.


    Thank you, Mary! This is my precise belief, I call it my “world religion view”, and I am trying to teach my children the same. They know their bible verses well and attend a Christian summer camp every year where they have to memorize numerous verses. I always worry when they spout off these verses that the words may not have context. Thank you for providing the verses that I feel are an important backbone in teaching tolerance of other religions. God Bless!
    (AB)

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