"Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has
eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life . .
. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. " (John 5:24, 40 NIV2)
The battle had been brutal, so ruthless. By the end, the field was so completely
covered in bodies that anyone who tried to walk there couldn't even put their
foot on the ground. Both the Union and the Confederate soldiers had fought so
hard for victory. Sadly, no one was even aware of this slaughter, for both the
Confederate and the Union armies had other battles on the go around Gettysburg
that day. It took two days before anyone even ventured out to see what happened.
Brazila, a soldier who had been badly wounded, somehow survived the ordeal. He
was quite happy to have his sword with him, for the aftermath of the battle was
even more frightening than the battle itself. Hogs ran loose on the field,
stripping the flesh of dead soldiers from their bodies. Brazila's blade was his
only protection against these vicious pigs, and he was indeed relieved when two
days later, he was finally rescued. Though the nightmare was over, it would
never be forgotten. The soldiers in that wheatfield not only fought desperately
for victory, but also to simply survive. Most of them never made it, but they
did everything in their power to stay alive.
Each one of us would do anything to survive. We search far and wide to find cures
for our diseases, and how much money is spent on remedies that don't even work?
We would be willing to give away all of our fortune, all of our belongings, if
only our lives could continue on. Look at Kim II Sung, leader of North Korea. He
has ordered his doctors to find a way so that he can live to be hundred years
old. I am certain these doctors work extra hard, for their lives also depend on
their finding the secret to extending their leader's life!
Isn't it interesting that though we would do anything to live longer, we don't
even realize that living for eternity is simply a question of accepting the
offer Jesus brings us through the cross. He sacrificed himself so that we could
have the choice to return to our Eternal Father and experience life without end.
It baffles me when people refuse to even consider the life Jesus promises us.
When He rose from the dead, He brought hope to humanity. Death is not the end.
Eternal life has been offered to each one of us. What we do with that offer is
up to us; however, those who welcome Jesus into their lives begin to enjoy the
benefits of such a decision. They are never alone, for Jesus is constantly with
them. Inner peace reigns in their hearts, and they never have to worry about
anything as long as their trust is securely anchored in their Savior, who always
comes through. They don't worry how long they will live on this planet, for
their future is assured. They are the ones who are truly alive: Not temporarily;
but for eternity!
You may be holding on dearly to your life, sword in hand. Sooner or later,
however, each one of us will pass away. There is no doubt about that! It is now
that you have the opportunity to fully accept the eternal life offered by the
only One who willingly died for you so that you would have a choice. What will
you do with the offer?
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
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
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.