There is a beautiful point on the western side of the Isle of Skye in Scottland,
known as Neist Point. It faces the North Sea, and from the shore visitors can
often see whales, dolphins and porpoises playing in the water. In addition, the
scenery surrounding the point is surreal. Besides the nostalgic lighthouse, the
green, rolling hills and the numerous sheep dotting the landscape make it a
photographer's dream. Eager tourists come to Neist Point in droves in the
summer, and in 2002, a former owner of the Lighthouse cottages in Neist Point
saw this as an opportunity to make some money. He decided to establish a toll
booth at the Neist Point car park.
The local people did not support the vision of this entrepreneur, however,
calling the required toll an "abuse." They began a concerted campaign against
these fees, and as a result, the illegal charge was stopped and the cottages
were eventually sold to someone else.
There are many swindlers out there in this world. Unfortunately they can even be
found amongst the clergy, and this makes the Good News they proclaim about Jesus
nothing more than a mockery. Yet when Jesus, Himself, preached, the Bible
records: "The crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who
had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." (Matt 7:28-29, NIV2)
So many preachers of today leave us wanting. These are either
doomsday-kind-of-preachers, or they are popular because they proclaim that sin
is OK. After all, who can boast about being an alcoholic or a child molester?
Who can be proud of their sin? No one! So many hunger to be freed from one
addiction or another: "If I had known," they so often say with regret.
Jesus is completely unlike these kinds of preachers. In fact, He is radically
different from any pastor or priest we know. Who else has so much compassion for
each one of us? Who else is willing to spend indefinite time with each one of
us? Who else would be willing to sacrifice Himself for our sake? Who else would
be willing to help us attain victory over our self-made addictions? There is no
one else! (See Acts 4:12). Jesus is the only One who can teach with authority,
as He was there since the beginning of time (See John 1:2), and he is the One
who procured our salvation forever.
How else could we become so alive? It's only possible based solely on the merits
of our Savior. He is the One who gave us life, and He is the One who opened the
doors wide for our rebirth to a better reality: God's reality!
"Welcome to my driveway. I hope you will have a pleasant stay. 5$ please, and if
you would like to enter my home, it will be another 10$."
Why isn't anyone visiting me?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.