In This Issue

• "SEEING" JESUS IN THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM
• CALL HOME
• A BLANK PIECE OF PAPER
• MORE INFORMATION...

"SEEING" JESUS IN THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM

As Jesus concluded His scathing rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and inconsistency, He foretold the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem that would take place in their generation. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’" (Matt. 23:29-39).

This speech was given on Tuesday before Jesus was crucified on Friday. After the crucifixion, He would be raised from the dead, and for a few days, He would appear to His disciples to encourage and strengthen them for the task before them of going into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature. Then, after these brief appearances, He would ascend to heaven, and neither His disciples nor His enemies would see Him anymore until His second coming, some time in the distance. And yet, in a figurative sense, they would "see" Him in the events that surround the up-coming destruction of Jerusalem within their own generation. They would "see" that He had been correct in what He foretold. They would "see" that their rejection of Him was the culmination of their rejection of the prophets down through the ages. They would "see" that though He was not visible to the physical eye, He was clearly in charge, bringing events to their inevitable conclusion with the downfall of the Jewish temple, the once-Holy city and the Jewish economy in general. As the clouds of dust and smoke accompanied the destruction of those who had rebelled against God’s Son and caused Him to be crucified, as the Roman armies romped and roared and pillaged, they would again "see" the power of Jesus in those clouds, bringing judgment upon an ungoldy generation and nation.

--CRJ

CALL HOME

For many years, when my parents were still living, I called home every Saturday. For several years I traveled extensively, doing gospel meetings. I still called home every Saturday and very often took time to write a short note to my parents from each locale. When my mother died and we went through all her things, we found all those notes, neatly stacked and wrapped with rubber bands. It's good to call home.

Prayer is a vital part of the Christian's relationship with God. Along with allowing Him to speak to us through His word, it is the great privilege of the child of God to speak with his Father. It serves several useful purposes. For one thing, it keeps us in constant contact with the Father. That helps. A lot. It keeps you going straight and you're just less likely to get into trouble when your Father's on the line. How long since you called home?

THE FATHER IS AT HOME. You never have to call back because He is always there. You never have to worry about whether or not you can "get through," for He always listens to what you have to say. There is never a busy signal; the line is always open. "Let your manner of life be without covetousness," He said, "and be content with such things as you have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5). Read the great throne room chapter in Revelation 4. God is on His throne, He is available. He will hear.

HE WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU. Just as my parents were concerned about where I was and what I was doing, He is concerned about where you are and what you are doing. He wants to hear from you because it is an indication that you are on speaking terms with Him. "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (Jas. 5:16). If He doesn't hear, it is logical to assume that you are not including Him in your present plans. Prayer is an indication of faithfulness. Sin hinders prayer (I Pet. 3:7). People who are out of duty seldom pray.

YOU CAN CALL FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE. What a blessed thought that you can stop whatever you are doing and say a little prayer (Phil 4:6). What a blessing to be able to pray from any place at any time and know for sure that He is available and that He is eager to hear from you. He never wearies of your calls, never fails to hear, no matter where you are. If you're doing well, He's glad to hear it. If you're having trouble, He's there to lend a listening ear. If you're sick, He cares. If you're going the wrong way, He surely wants you to contact Him then. "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers..." (I Pet. 3:12). It is indeed a joy to know that wherever you go, you can still reach Him. There is no place too far, no location too distant that He cannot be contacted.

YOU CAN CALL FOR HELP. The 911 concept has saved many a life because at the other end of the line there is always someone who can help. God is that someone. He cares. You can call Him when you have an emergency. You can call Him when you need to be taken to a place of care. You can call Him at any time, day or night. He provides intensive care. You can call Him when you are exasperated from having failed again and again. He cares. You can call Him when you've fallen and can't get up by yourself. And He will help you. You can call Him when you've been rejected- even by those you thought loved you. He still loves you and He will give you aid. You can call him when you're weary because of the long road you've traveled. He will give you rest.

YOU CAN TRUST HIM. He is always at home. He never refuses to answer. The line is never down; there is never any static on it and you don't ever have to wait on the line. And no matter how poorly you say it, He will interpret it well (Rom. 8:26). He wants to hear from you because He wants to help. He will hear and He will answer. He is your Father. He wants what is best for you. Trust Him, "casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (Pet. 5:7).

Why not call home? Right now.

--Dee Bowman, Southside Reminder, June 30, 1999

A BLANK PIECE OF PAPER

[Editor’s Note. Please read the following article and take it to heart. Especially if you are a preacher of the gospel. We preachers have done such a good job of teaching each other that visiting is not the work of the preacher that we often fail to do our duty in this matter. While it is true that visiting is not particularly the "work of the preacher," it IS the work of a Christian. And being a Christian is a major part of the work of a preacher. --CRJ]

The old man set in his chair with a blank piece of paper on the stand beside him. He placed it there with a special purpose. As he approached his final days in life he wanted to make sure everyone from Church that visited him would get a letter of thanks and encouragement.

The Old Man had been a member of the Lord's Church for many years; the majority of his life was dedicated to the Lord and the Lord's Church. He had served as Elder and treasurer during the hard times and good times. Many years of his life were spent in service to the Church, many hours given to the needs of others. He was there to see many members born and many pass away. If something broke he fixed it, he was a regular handy man. The same with the peoples' lives that he worshiped with, if something happened or direction was needed he was there to Shepherd the way.

In the last part of his life the struggle begin, he could not get out on his own. His body was slipping away. He could not make it to Church or attend services. His heart was still with the Lord; His mind was still active and knowledgeable in the Lord. He loved to talk about the Bible with anyone.

When his body finally failed him and he went to be with the Lord, beside his chair and on the stand remained a blank piece of paper.

Then many years later the old man's son at a much earlier age suffered a catastrophe in his life. He was left paralyzed on his left side. He was in the hospital and rehab for a year and finally got to go home. He cannot get out on his own and needs assisted living. He attends Church when he can and that centers on being able to get a ride with a neighbor. He is a member of the same Church and congregation as his father. He was born and brought up in that Church.

Beside his chair on his stand is the paper that he put there. He put it there for the same purpose that his father did, and that was to record the names of visitors from Church. A year and a half after being released from the hospital he put it there, and to this day it remains a "Blank Piece of Paper".

Jesus Christ gives us the example in the scripture about the righteous visiting the sick. (Matt. 25:36 NKJV). Are we doing it?

Many claim today to be sound in doctrine, standing for the truth. They preach this loudly from the pulpit. But at the same time a "blank piece of paper" testifies against them.

Today, many travel many miles to have debates and gospel meetings to spread the word to others or to defend the faith. These are good things, and things that we must do. At the same time how about our sick and shut in that are just a few minutes from our Church building? Do we travel a short distance to visit them?

As we stand and point the finger toward others and say how they are doing wrong. Does a blank piece of paper testify about our wrong?

As Congregations, Preachers, Elders and Individuals, each of us should be working to see that a blank piece of paper will never again be left beside a chair of a member of the Lord's Church.

When I was shown a blank piece of paper and told what it meant. It touched my heart, I hope and pray that it will touch the hearts of others. That all who profess to be Christians will take an interest in visiting those that are sick and unable to get out. Because one is sick and not able to leave their home, does not mean they love the Lord any less, or should be written off by a congregation. They need encouragement and edification the same as everyone else.

I am afraid that many today that are sick or shut in miss their Brothers and Sisters in Christ. They miss the assembling of the saints together because of accidents, injuries and illnesses that they suffer. They can not always get out to go to Church.

How heavy it must be on their hearts when they look beside them and see a "blank piece of paper".

--Craig D. Straight (thanks to Mike Palm)

MORE INFORMATION...