Showing Something

TITLE: Showing Something
DATE: April 7, 2019
TEXT: Matthew 28: 18-20 – ESV - And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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Jesus last will and testament instructed Hs disciples to make disciples… disciples who would bear fruit to Him.

In the Civil War, General Lee invaded the North and was approaching Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Hearing of the Confederate's arrival, a Dutch lady by the name of "Hannah" grabbed the poker from her fireplace and started down the road to confront the invaders.

Before she could meet with them, the battle was begun. After the war was over, the ladies of Gettysburg held a quilting party. Hannah was there. Understandably, the other women had some fun at Hannah's expense.

Finally, one of them asked her, "Hannah, what in the world did you expect to do with that old poker against the entire Southern army?" Hannah's reply, given as near as I can in Pennsylvania Dutch accent, is worth remembering: "Vell, I dint expect to do nodings, but I left em know what side I vas on, din't I!" (Well, I didn't expect to do nothing, but I let them know what side I was on, didn't I!"

So strongly did the Lord feel about producing fruit, that He showed little patience with those slackers who tried to minimally serve two masters, or no masters.

• He cursed neutrality in both fig tree and Pharisee.
• He was saddened when the rich ruler left without a commitment and
• when the crowds deserted Him.

The Savior Who was completely dedicated to the cause of saving us, expected a life of thankful dedication from those whom He had saved. Conversely He doesn't have a lot of use for those people who treat the wonderful things He has done in their lives as if they were of no consequence.

Yes, the Savior expects His people to produce fruit, to show what side they were on. Perhaps, most importantly, He knows indifference is the devil's ally.

That’s why, I‘m pretty sure, if Jesus had been in that Gettysburg parlor, He would have been pleased with Hannah. Jesus always liked the idea of people showing whose side they were on.

• That's why He praised the thief on the cross who made a confession of belief;
• the Centurion who showed his great faith,
• and the woman who washed His feet with her hair.

They all showed their appreciation of His mission which caused Him great pain and lead to His death upon a cross. The kind of sacrifice He has made to save our souls should never leave anyone thankless.  

THE PRAYER:  Dear Lord Jesus I am saved by Your Work and forgiven by Your sacrifice. Grant that I may invest my life in appreciation for Your gifts. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html