This month I invite you to look with me at the words of Jesus in Scripture: His sweet and encouraging words for the next seven days, His challenging and sometimes misunderstood words the following week, His longer teachings on week three, and His urgent words for the last week of the month.
Throughout the ages people have expounded on the words of Jesus as those of a great moral teacher. While our lives may go more smoothly and be richer by following Jesus’ moral teaching, we must remember that He did not come to give us a set of rules; He came to rescue us.
C.S. Lewis said that as we consider who Jesus really is, we must remember to “not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher” (Mere Christianity, 1952). He and His words are much, much more than that.
The Son of God has saved us from eternal condemnation. Out of gratitude, we live for Him. And His sweet, encouraging, challenging, and urgent words will be with us through the ages because He is with us through the ages.
Author: Jim Grams has deep connections to Haven Ministries. His father-in-law was the original bass singer for the Haven of Rest Quartet for 42 years. Throughout the decades Jim has served variously for Haven as executive director, vice-president, radio speaker, prayer ministry leader, and even now in donor relations. In their 57 years together, he and Charlotte have walked with the Lord on the mission field, at several churches Jim pastored, and in raising their kids. They are enjoying retirement in Springfield, Missouri, where Jim is still getting some fine golf scores!