Tag: Savior

It’s A Wonderful Life

In my last several blogs I have mentioned the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. The background should sound familiar. It was directed by Frank Capra (1897-1991) and released in 1946. It has become a holiday classic, seen by many. The storyline revolves around George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart (1908-1997). He wants to see the world but is shackled by responsibility to his hometown, Bedford Falls. George doesn’t have a clue the difference he has made to the people in his life. You know the scene.

Absent minded Uncle Billy has lost $8,000 of the Bailey Building and Loan’s money. On cue, the bank examiner shows up and George beings to panic. Without success, George looks everywhere. With his shattered dreams in his hands, he decides to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. He is saved by his guardian angel, angel second class, Clarence Oddbody, played by Henry Travis (1874-1965). He is the one who grants George’s wish. He shows George what his world would be like if he had never been born. The picture is not pretty. His wife, played by Donna Reed (1921-1986), never married so his children were never born. His mother struggles to survive. His brother, Harry, drowns so others he saved during the war also die. Uncle Billy, played by Thomas Mitchell (1892-1962) is institutionalized. His town, Bedford Falls, was run by his enemy, Mr. Potter, played by Lionel Barrymore (1878-1954). It is renamed Potterville. Considering, this new information George begins to realize the difference he has made on his world. With nowhere else to go he returns to the bridge. George begins to pray and asks for his old life back. His request is granted. He happily returns home knowing he is going to be arrested. All this sets up the final scene.

When he returns home, he has a new appreciation for his old life. He embraces his children and looks for his wife, Mary. She is the one who saves the day. Mary has told the whole town George is in trouble. They respond by showing up at the Bailey home. Each one brings cash and openly expresses what George means to them. Brother Harry has the line that summarizes the whole movie. He lifts his glass and says, “To George Bailey, the richest man in town!” This is the question I must ask you on this Christmas Eve. How rich are you?

Can you relate to George Bailey? When you were young you had dreams of seeing the world. You longed for fame and fortune. Over the years, your dreams of greatness were replaced by a heavy dose of reality. People became dependent on you and your money was limited. You long to do the right thing, but the right thing seems unclear. One day you woke up and your youth was gone, replaced by disappointments and regret. You watch the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, and you find yourself relating to George Bailey, who failed to see the impact he had on others. How close am I? Your name is not George Bailey, but you are George Bailey? Do you have a few regrets? What part of your life do you take for granted?

In this blog, I want to give you some pastoral advice. I would encourage you to appreciate everything thing about your life. You have been blessed in many ways. You have a good life. Don’t be like George Bailey, who took his good life for granted. Embrace everything about your life. Appreciate your relationships. Appreciate your opportunities. Most of all, appreciate your Savior. It is those three things I want examine in this blog.

Never take your relationships for granted! How would your life change if one of your loved one was suddenly gone? There are people in Idaho who are forced to answer that question. You know the story. In the early hours of November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death in their off-campus housing. The murder of still at large and the community of Moscow is in shock. The investigation continues and everyone is hoping to solve the crime. I have found myself praying for the parents of the four slain students. My heart goes out to everyone involved, including the parents. If this story has taught us anything, then it has taught us to appreciate all the relationships in their lives. How are those parents going to celebrate Christmas without their young? How are they ever going to celebrate Christmas again?

We spend Christmas with the most important people in our lives. How would your life change if one of them was suddenly gone? Never take your relationships for granted!

Never take your opportunities for granted! I have always been thankful I was born in America. It is still the land of opportunity. If you can’t make it here, then you can’t make it anywhere. How would your life change if you were forced to live in another country? The answer is a great deal. Years ago, I had to opportunity to travel to Haiti. I was part of a mission team who observed the work of a mission project, who was attempting to reforest part of that nation. That trip changed me. I have never been to a place that had less opportunity, then Haiti. It is only a two-hour flight between Miami and Port-au-Prince. However, it is like I was on two different planets. The contrast was shocking. Did you know Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere? According to Statista, the average Haitian makes $1420 annually. That is $3.90 a day. How do you survive on a $3.90 a day? The Haitian people were great. They were gracious and hard working. Their children pierced my heart. I like to think they have a bright future, but I can’t. They live in a country of no. There is no public school system. There is no postal system because there are no addresses. There is no form of health care. There is no electricity and no clean water to drink. There are no jobs. I really don’t know what happened to all the money after the earthquake in 2010, but I know there is no opportunity in Haiti for a better life.

To my American readers let me ask, have you ever wondered why you were born in the United States of America? Did we win the eternal power ball? You could have been born in Haiti. You could have been born a legless Russian orphan. You could have been born in North Korea. You could have been born in Africa or you could have been born in Syria. You know it is true. America has her issues. We have some work to do. This is not a perfect place, but it is still the land of opportunity. Don’t ever take your American citizenship for granted. Don’t take your relationships for granted! Never take your opportunities for granted!

Never take your take your Savior for granted! How would your life change if Jesus had never been born? This is the good news. Jesus was born. You know the story. A census was taken every fourteen years by the Romans. The population was counted for two reasons. The first was military service. The second was taxation. Every male was required to return to their hometown. Joseph returned to Bethlehem, the House of Bread. It would have taken him ten days to make that eighty miles trip between Nazareth and Bethlehem. You can drive it easily in two hours. In Joseph’s case, it must have taken him longer. He was traveling with a young pregnant woman, Mary. When they finally arrived, they saw nothing but “No Vacancy” signs. They best they can do is accept an offer to sleep in the barn. Surrounded by animals, the baby is born. Everyone is surprised they didn’t name him Joseph. Instead, they name him Jesus. The name is important because it summarizes his entire life. Jesus means “God is Salvation.” You know how the story ends. Thirty-three years later Jesus would be executed. It is upsetting, but it was all part of God’s plan for the salvation of the world. Jesus lived the perfect life, so he was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. Never take Jesus for granted. Without Jesus, there is no hope of salvation.

When you have Jesus, you have three things. First, when you Jesus you have forgiveness. We are all sinners. Second, when you have Jesus, you have hope. You have hope for a better world and the hope of heaven, itself. Third, when you have Jesus, you have purpose. You are more than a consumer. You are more than some point on some demographic chart. You are a child of God. Never take your Savior for granted.

Are you like George Bailey? Are you taking your life for granted? Are you taking their life for granted? I hope the answer is no! I hope you appreciate everything about your life. I would encourage you to never take your relationships for granted. How would your life change if one of your loved ones was suddenly gone? I would encourage you to never take your opportunities for granted. We live in a great country. America is still a land of opportunity. I would encourage you to never take your Savior for granted. He is our only hope of salvation. The angels said it best: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. May God bless you during this sacred season.

Give Up Darkness!

Fritz Kreisler (1875–1962) is considered one the greatest violinists of all time. It was common for him to tour Europe. One day he was traveling to London from Hamburg, Germany. He was traveling by boat but had an hour before it sailed. To kill the time, he walked into the local music store. The proprietor asked if he could look at the violin Kreisler was carrying. He then vanished and returned with two policemen, one of whom was holding the violin, “You are under arrest.” “What for?” asked Kreisler. “You have Fritz Kreisler’s violin.” He responded, “I am Fritz Kreisler.” They responded, “You can’t pull that on us. Come along to the station.” As Kreisler’s boat was sailing soon, there was no time for prolonged explanations. Kreisler asked for his violin and played a piece he was well known for. “Now are you satisfied?” he asked. They were, and Kreisler performed in London on schedule. That story is about making a proper identity and so is this morning’s scripture lesson.

We find ourselves today in the third chapter of John. The story and the background are familiar. Nicodemus was one of that society’s leading citizens. He was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish Ruling council, also known as the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court of the Jewish faith. Regularly, people came to him to ask him questions about the law and to ask him how to solve their personal problems. Yet, in our reading for today, Nicodemus was the one with the question. He hoped Jesus had the answer. Our reading for today is a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus.

Through the ages much has been made about the timing of their discussion. According to verse two it was at night. Some say Nicodemus came at night to protect his reputation. How would it look for a leading member of the clergy to be seen talking to an itinerant preacher? Others say Nicodemus came at night because the day was complete. The two men could talk without interruption. You can make a case for both sides of the argument. However, you can also say the darkness of the night represented Nicodemus’s spiritual condition. He is spiritually confused and in the dark. He is trying to answer that question everyone must asked, who is Jesus? He knew he had come from God because he had heard about Jesus’ miracles, but what does that mean? Making a proper identification is extremely important, but it is not always easy to do.

You know it is true. Each one of us has an identity. The truth is each one of us has more than one identity. How many hats do you wear in life? Let me use myself as an example. I have been out at the mall and someone will walk up to me and say, “Aren’t you the preacher?” I have married or buried one of their loved ones. You know me as your pastor. My parents knew me as their son. My sister knows me as their brother. Kathryn knows me as her husband. My children know me as father. My neighbors know me as the guy in the red house or the guy who is always walking his dog, the world’s best dog, Macy. You get the point. Each one of us is an individual, but each one of us has several identities.

Today, I am going to ask you to identify Jesus. Some believe Jesus is just a fable from the past, like Paul Bunyan. Some believe Jesus was just a wise teacher or philosopher. Others believe Jesus is their ultimate friend, who believes in them when they don’t believe in themselves. I hope you believe Jesus is more. Do you believe Jesus is the Christ? Do you believe Jesus is your Savior? Do you believe Jesus is your Lord? Who is Jesus? It’s a hard question. That is why so many are living in the dark. This message will dig into your soul and will force you to examine your ways. That is a good thing because this is the season of Lent.

Who is Jesus? Do you understand Jesus to be the Christ? One of the great stories in the Bible is Peter’s confession. It is found in Matthew 16. Jesus asks the disciples the question, who do you say I am. He is hoping they identify him correctly. In verse 16 Peter does. He says, “Simon Peter said, “You are the Messiah, the son of the living God.” The Hebrew word Messiah is the Greek word Christ. That verse is vital because for generations the Hebrews had been waiting for the Messiah. The problem is their understanding of the Messiah was all wrong. They understood the Messiah to be the great problem solver. There would be no corner of their lives that would not be improved once the Messiah came. When the Messiah came, there would be no more violence. When the Messiah came, there would be no more disease. When the Messiah came, no one would be oppressed. When the Messiah came, everyone would be well-fed and happy. When the Messiah came, their lives would be perfect. Do you know of anyone who is frustrated with Jesus because their problems remain? If you do, then you know someone who is living in Peter’s generation. Listen to what I am about to say.

The word ‘Christ’ is a title. It is given to Jesus more than 700 times in the New Testament. The authors of the New Testament writings understood the sacredness of Jesus. He was not just another good person. He was the greatest person who ever lived. Do not take those words lightly. There are over seven billion people in the world today. I have no clue how many have lived in the world from the beginning of time. The total number of people is astronomical, but there has only been one Christ. His name is Jesus. He was the son of God; he was the incarnation of God. You know it is true. There is something about that name. Until you understand the true meaning of Christ, you are living in the dark.

Who is Jesus? Jesus is the Savior of the world! Is Jesus your Savior? I hope your answer is YES! The salvation of your soul depends on it. That is why Jesus came into the world. Do you remember the story? We tell the story annually. Mary and Joseph were betrothed to be married. Don’t just jump over that phrase. In their world it meant a great deal. It meant they were legally bound, but she was still sexually innocent. Mary was a virgin, yet Mary was pregnant. Joseph was placed in a difficult situation. He decides to divorce her quietly, but one night he had a dream. In the dream, he was told to take Mary as his wife. The child in her womb is truly unique. This child will be the greatest life that ever lived. Matthew 1:21 says, “She will give birth to a son and you will give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” A savior is one who protects us from harm. A lord is one you obey. Until you know Jesus as your savior, you are living in the dark.

Who is Jesus? Is Jesus your Lord? What does that mean? It can refer to two things. First, you can be describing the very nature of Jesus. For example, Jesus is the Lord, or Jesus is God. Second, you can be describing your relationship with Jesus. Jesus is your Lord or Jesus is your Master. When you are in bondage to someone, you must do what they say. Because, they are your Lord. How many people do you know understand Jesus as the Christ? How many people do you know have claimed Jesus as their Savior? How many people do you know that have grown deaf to their master’s requests? They want Jesus as their Savior because they want to go to heaven. They haven’t claimed Jesus as their Lord because don’t want to change anything about their lives. Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?

Several years ago, my wife, Kathryn, had a wedding in the Cleveland area. The bride and groom were former Youngstown State University students, Katie and Ben. I didn’t have any responsibilities at the wedding, so I got to play out my favorite role, the minister’s husband. I love that role because it is undefined. You can do what you want. I did nothing but tag along. I went to the rehearsal and sat in the back pew of the church playing games on my cell phone. When the rehearsal was over, Katie’s mother walked up to me and asked me if I was Kathryn’s husband. I proudly said, “Yes.” She said, “I have someone you have to meet. He looks just like you! He will be at the reception tomorrow.” Prior to the wedding, Katie’s mom walked up to me and said, “Have you seen someone who looks just like you? It is Katie’s uncle.” I said, “No!” We went to the reception and ate. As the dancing was about to begin, we decided to leave. We had an hour drive ahead of us and church in the morning. As I was putting my coat on when Katie’s mom returned. She said, “Did you see him?” I said, “No!” She said, “Don’t go any anywhere. You have to meet him because he looks just like you!” We promised to stay. I will admit I was a little nervous about meeting my double. I looked over the crowd and looked for someone who looked like George Clooney. I didn’t see anyone, but I soon saw her return. She was dragging a man who looked like Rodney Dangerfield on steroids. His round face was round red, and his stomach was exploding over his tight belt. As proud as could be, she looked at us and said, “You two could be twins! Do you see it?” I smiled and said, “Yes!” Then, I shook his hand. I looked at him and said, “It is hard to believe there could be two handsome studs like us at the same reception.” He sucked in his huge Texas size stomach and said, “I hope we don’t intimidate these young guys!” It isn’t just a story of identity, It’s a question of identity. So, let me ask you the question one last time.

Who is Jesus? Unless, you understand Jesus to be the Christ and your Lord and Savior, you are living in the dark.  Mother Teresa once said, “Many people mistake our work for our vocation. Our vocation is to love Jesus.”