Hard Questions

Hard questions make us squirm. They are not usually difficult to answer in the sense of being complex and hard to understand, rather, it’s a moral issue we would much rather ignore. We know the truth, but we don’t want to admit it because if we answer honestly, we’re going to have to confess we’re not quite as perfect as we think. 

A few weeks after his resurrection from the dead, Jesus had breakfast with his disciples on the beach of the Sea of Galilee. After they had finished eating, Jesus took aside one of his more influential followers, Peter. For most of Jesus’ ministry, Peter had been considered if not the leader of the 12 apostles, one of those who were closest to Jesus. But when his loyalty to Jesus had been questioned, Peter failed miserably. In fact, he failed the test three times within the space of a few hours. 

The conversation Jesus had with Peter consisted of one hard question: “Do you love me more than anyone or anything else in this world?” It was a question of commitment; it was a question meant to confront Peter with who was #1 in his life. Considering recent events, that was the hardest question for Peter to answer. It forced him to face his own moral helplessness and depend completely on the mercy and grace of Jesus. 

“Who do you love most?” It’s a question Jesus asks us all. As the one true God who came in human form to execute the Rescue Mission for all of eternity, he has the right to ask us that question. He comes to us not as a genie, or a guru, or an advisor, or even a buddy – he comes to us as Savior and Lord. We receive him as such, or he can do nothing for us. 

“Who do you love most?” If you’re having difficulty answering that question, join us for our worship service this Sunday. Together, let’s see how the resurrection of Jesus Christ helps to answer that hard question. 

                                      Sunday Morning Worship – 10:00 am 

Something to Live For

 

“Unless you have found something in life to live for that is more important to you than your own life, you will always be a slave. For all another man needs to do is threaten to take your life to get you to do his bidding.” ^{Martin Luther King Jr} 

These words are a strong challenge to the current thinking of our prosperous culture which emphasizes personal comfort and pleasure as the primary goal of life. They also echo Jesus’ warning that if we do not give up our life for him, we will end up losing it. 

After Jesus rose from the dead he appeared to his disciples and gave them a mission: “As the Father sent me, I am also sending you…Go and make disciples of all nations!” Those disciples took their mission seriously – all but one was executed for carrying out Christ’s mandate. 

The mission Jesus gave his first disciples continues to be the same for his followers today. What a privilege! What an opportunity we have to live a meaningful and noble life! As a sense of futility and apathy continues to seep into the soul of so many people, Jesus offers a powerfully positive reason to get up every morning convinced our lives make a difference – that we very definitely have something to live for! 

Sunday Morning Worship – 10:00 am