A Feeding Tube And A Cross

Be honest now! Has too much attention been placed upon a woman (Terri Schiavo) who for fifteen years has been in a semi-comatose condition in Florida. Should she be allowed to die "with dignity" or continue on in her very unenviable state? Why would the U.S. congress meet to pass legislation to help keep her alive? The only answer is that she is a human being and that each life is worthwhile and deserves to be protected.

Good Friday is a time when the world comes face to face with the importance of the individual. Jesus died on the cross for everyone. John 3: 16 is so clear in this regard, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." For whom did Jesus die? He died for all mankind (past, present and future). No one will end up in Hell and be able to point the finger of accusation at Jesus and say, "You never died for me. I didn't stand a chance."

Interlinked with all of this is the question, "Why did Jesus die?" Well, He died to fulfill the plan of Almighty God to save the world. In order for us to be saved, a life had to be given. A worthy sacrifice had to be made. This is why Jesus was chosen, for He is God come in the flesh. His life, if compared in value to ours, would outweigh all humanity put together. He was the only One Who could die for our sins because He had no sins of His own. Without His sacrifice, salvation would be impossible (For more background, please read in the Bible Isaiah 53) There the Good Book, the Bible, says,"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to our own way, but the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

Inasmuch as the cross is so horrendous and brutal, there can be no other way for a person to be saved but through the death of Christ. If there were any other way (eg. in some other religion) that was acceptable in God's sight, surely a loving heavenly Father would have chosen that way rather than sending Jesus to the cross. But there was no other way. That is why Jesus says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father, but through Me (John 14:6). All roads do not lead to Heaven. It does matter what you believe. Only faith in Jesus Christ will get you to Heaven!

Who killed Jesus? Oh, I know we could blame the Jewish leaders of that day or the Roman soldiers who actually crucified Him. The Bible makes it very clear, however, that ALL of us helped to crucify Him because of our sinfulness. Essentially, our sins nailed him to the Cross. We are all responsible for His death. Equally, by faith in Him, we can all gain Heaven through His great sacrifice. Have you opened your life to the Saviour? Come to Him just as you are and let Him have His way in your life. You will never regret it as He will tranform you and open Heaven's door to you someday. Surely this is the meaning of Good Friday. A feeding tube and a cross. Every life is important to God. That is why Jesus died for you!

Was St. Patrick A Protestant?

On Thursday, March 17th, the world will celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Patrick of Ireland was one of the greatest Christians who ever lived. Taken captive from his native Scotland (he was born near Kilpatrick, Dumbarton) by marauding Irish bands,
Patrick was sold as a slave in his early teens. Ignominiously treated, he longed for his native home. In his loneliness and need, Patrick gave his heart to Jesus, our Saviour, and was gloriously changed by the liberating power of God. Finally, he was able to escape and return to his native Scotland.

Deep in his heart, Jesus burdened him with the need to take the Gospel to his former captors. After a great struggle of soul, he returned to Ireland as an ambassador for Christ. Great success accompanied his preaching and teaching as the Holy Spirit impressed the Word of God on hearts. Upon Patrick's death, Christian churches and worship places dotted the Irish landscape. Ireland had become a Christian land in his lifetime! It is unlikely that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland since by his time most of the snakes had already gone from Ireland.

Was Patrick a Protestant? Of course, at his juncture in history there was no Protestant movement yet. But, in spirit, was he a Protestant? Here are several reasons I would say one must answer "yes" to this question:

1) Patrick did not worship the virgin Mary.
2) Patrick had Jesus as his life focus, not the Church.
3) Patrick had a life-changing born again experience with Christ.
4) Patrick taught the Holy Scriptures not the edicts of the Church.
5) Patrick practiced spontaneous praying rather than reciting a prayer-book.
6) Patrick taught salvation through faith in Christ rather than sacraments.
7) Patrick had Jesus as his Master not the Pope.

Patrick's famous prayer will convince the unbiased reader that he had more in common with Protestants than one could ever imagine. Please meditate upon it.

CHRIST BE WITH ME

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's Word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me.

Christ be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.