An encouraging excerpt from the text of this Sunday’s sermon.

….the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
….never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you! Psalm 121:3b-5a

Luke 7:24-35 (<<click to read the passage)
Recently I read a story about an explorer by the name of Guitan. He heard that there was a treasure in a cave just off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It was a long journey but, regardless, he hired men to sail with him in pursuit of said treasure.
The voyage was replete with unexpected difficulties – storms and rough seas. The lost so much of their food and supplies that they despaired of reaching their destination. He wrote in his diary nearly every day in regard to the perils they faced.
One by one his companions perished due to lack of sustenance until eventually in 1598 Guitan and one of his sailors reached the shore. They were the sole survivors of their quest. They were so weak from lack of food and dehydration that their strength was nearly gone.
As they drug themselves to the cave, which they could see in the distance, the remaining sailor died and only by sheer determination did Guitan forge ahead. But to no avail, his last diary entry was from the entrance to the cave, it was one sentence long, and it said, “So close, yet so far away.” And there he died, within a few feet of the treasure for which he had given his life.
In today’s passage from Luke’s Gospel, we see where the common people – people who were often considered the dregs of society – embraced John’s message and repented. While the Pharisees and experts in the Law rejected his teachings. The common people, through John’s teachings, were ready to see Jesus for who He was – the Messiah! The religious leaders “rejected God’s plan for them” and in turn rejected the Messiah!
They saw Jesus, they witnessed his touch upon those who had no hope – physically or spiritually, they interacted with Him, they spoke to Him, they heard Him speak. They were so close to Jesus, yet so far away. The treasure of the ages was within their grasp but instead, they clung to their petty power and prestige, which went to the grave with them.
Lord Jesus, may we seek the treasure found only in You. May we set aside worldly reward, and may we lay hold of the prizes of Your kingdom! Amen.

Mar 4th, 2020, Wed, 12:37 pm