Time Machine

Friday, April 6, 2018
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "O Jesus I Have Promised"1 (Lyrics)

Luke 19:47-48 – Every day [Jesus] was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words. (NIV)

Sometimes, I wish that I had a time machine and could go back to the days when Jesus was teaching in the Jerusalem temple. His lessons and stories must have been captivating. His understanding of the mysteries of God and what life is all about must have been profound. I know that the gospels contain much of what He preached and taught, but I get the feeling that we have only the tip of the iceberg of His ministry. There must have been other parables and perspectives that were never written down. Perhaps, when we all get to be with Him in heaven, Jesus will tell and teach us things that we have never known.

For me, the purpose of church is to keep repeating the lessons and stories of the Bible, as well as those of Christ's ministry, to every generation that comes along. Even though the Scriptures are thousands of years old, they still contain relevant truths, wisdom, and guidance that we all need for our everyday lives. We all go through good times and bad moments; we all can feel lonely and powerless in different situations. Christ's stories and His teachings can penetrate the pain that we feel, recognize the uncertainties that we experience, and augment the hopes that we harbour in our hearts. If we make the time to hear and re-hear, or read and re-read those lessons and parables from Jesus, we will build up a spiritual storehouse of godly guidance and divine wisdom which we can readily use no matter what we face or are confronted with.

So, today, take the time to read and ponder a gospel passage, and this weekend, set aside enough time to worship God at a church in order to glorify Jesus and receive an effective blessing from His Word.

Points to ponder: What are my favourite stories of Jesus? How have they helped me in my daily life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we often thank You for being our Saviour, but we are also grateful that You are our teacher and guide. Allow us to seek Your presence this day and to look to Your words to help us on our way. In Your holy name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook

About the author:

John Stuart <traqair@aol.com>
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Send your feedback to the author

1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    A good challenge, John.


    Amen and Amen, John. Blessings.


    Thank you for your thoughts. So true.


    Words of wisdom indeed.
    Jesus has taught YOU well.


    John,
    Thanks for reminding us that Jesus is a good teacher. Nicely done.
    Blessings.


    Greetings John,
    Another great devotional! Thank you kindly for your contribution this morning.
    Blessings,
    (B.C.)


    John: This is a great devotional; thank you for writing it! I hadn’t really thought of the “life and times” of Jesus in this way. But, of course, there was probably lots more that was said and done in that time. The Bible is a written record, and its writers human… divinely inspired, but nonetheless limited. Inevitably we see only a portion.
    I feel inspired by this additional stimulus for my prayer life.
    Blessings.


    Hi John. Thank you for your many contributions on this site.
    Taking time to re-hear, re-read the lessons from Jesus really does help to build up one’s knowledge of God’s word, the Bible.
    I find gratifying when the first sentence has me already going through the story or parable.
    Something is getting through all this grey matter, only to be recalled and enjoyed as needed. The need is great.
    Thank you.


    Dear John,
    I have written to you before letting you know how meaningful your devotions are to me and my son. He has endured a 2-year battle with cancer, and especially during his illness I have shared your devotions with him. It was a way that we could have spiritual times together while living so far apart. My son has been released from his mortal chains and suffering, and will now spend eternity at Jesus feet, hearing all the unwritten stories that you and I will someday hear for ourselves. I praise God for the blessings he has given you in being able to so eloquently share your faith to uplift others. May God continue to bless others through you.
    Blessings on you,
    (Ontario)


    Thank you for your devotional about back to the basics of our faith and the stories in the Bible.
    At a memorial service for my mother and others who had passed away, The Lord’s prayer was spoken along with old hymn favourites.
    So many traditions have been replaced with modern thinking. Even the church sermons grapple with a growing church change in organization and how to do this, with many sermons based on change and God’s will, losing many members along the way.
    In final moments when one’s life is summarized, by someone who saw part of it, what do we share?
    I am so very glad God watches over each one of us, knows the number of hairs on our head, and forgives our sins as we ask.
    My comfort. comes from knowing these passages, perhaps not as well as I should, or out of historical context, but my simple personal faith is based on the fact Jesus loves me, forgives me and will see me in heaven.
    (Ontario, Canada)


    Dear John Stuart,
    Thank you for your message. I especially appreciate:
    If we make the time to hear and re-hear, or read and re-read those lessons and parables from Jesus, we will build up a spiritual storehouse of godly guidance and divine wisdom which we can readily use no matter what we face or are confronted with.
    Keep writing.

Previous Post
«
Next Post
»
 



PresbyCan is a community of faithful, Holy Spirit-filled, Christ-centred, God-honouring Christians.