[The rich fool said to himself] “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat ..." (Luke 12:19,20)

[The rich fool said to himself] “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ (Luke 12:19,20;  see parable in Luke 12:13-21 )

 

Some years ago a very wealthy and well know individual passed away. He has achieved much in life having accumulated a vast fortune and fame. Not surprisingly, the funeral was very well attended. It appeared everyone of any prominence had come to pay their respects. Notable politicians and celebrities were present as was the the media who were there to cover the event. During the ceremony a reporter probing for information sought out a friend of the deceased. No one seemed to know exactly how much had been accumulated. “Does anyone know how much was left” inquired the reporter. The deceased’s friend turned to face the reporter and replied. “Oh yes, we know what was left! We know exactly how much down he left. He left it ALL”!!!

The rich man in Jesus’ parable was not a fool because he was rich. He was a fool because his riches were all that concerned him. He gave no thought to the future, his eternal future. Life was all about the here and the now. He lived for the things of this world!! A fool in God’s eyes is one who lives for the passing pleasures and things of this world rather than the One who made all things. There are no hitches on a hearse! We will take nothing of this world with us when we leave. All will be left.

This is actually not entirely true. Some will leave with far more that can ever be accumulated in this world. The child of God will inherit an eternal kingdom (Rom 8:17). That said, no one who has received Jesus as Lord and Saviour cares as much for the kingdom as they do for the King! What do you treasure? Will you have it for eternity?

“ I am the good shepherd, The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep” (Gospel John 10:11)

 Shepherding sheep was very much part of life in Christ’s day. A Shepherd led his flock to places where grass was abundant and water plentiful. He protected the sheep from wild animals and sought out those going astray. It was not unusual for a shepherd to spend extended periods of time with the flock and remain with them through cold harsh nights. Their needs were always met. They were always safe, always at peace.

In Psalm 23, God is likened to a Shepherd who leads, protects and cares for His flock. “The LORD is My shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul” (Ps 23:1-3a) The image of the shepherd caring for his sheep is a beautiful picture of God’s loving care for His own. The needs of all in His flock are met. There is never cause for alarm. Each one receives His personal attention. So it is for all who have been born again into God’s family. Jesus knows each of His own by name! (John 10:3) Each experience the blessing of His personal attention. Such is the wonderful reality enjoyed by all under Jesus’ care. There is no place for fear, concern or anxiety. None are ever forsaken by this Shepherd! None are ever lost and none ever will be (John 10:28). 

Jesus’ care far exceeds that of any other shepherd. He died on the cross that His sheep might have forgiveness. He died that His sheep might live with Him forever. His care never end and His sheep know it!

Is Jesus Christ your Shepherd? He leads His own though the Word of God, the Bible and only by the Bible. His sheep hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:3). Do you want to follow Him? 

Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples (John 20:30)

“And Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; ^ but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (Gospel of John 20:30,31)

Jesus performed many miracles but John only records seven of them in his gospel account. These seven signs, or miracles, point to something of His deity (His is God) or His work to accomplish salvation. These are given that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. “Life” is given to the one who will believe. This is eternal life, the very life of the Lord Jesus. A life that we do not possess naturally. The one who has this life will spend an eternity with God and never again face death.

“Belief in Christ” is the one demand that God makes of us and He is most in earnest about it. Earlier in John’s gospel account he wrote, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (Gospel of John 3:36). Eternal life or eternal condemnation hinge on “belief in Christ.” To believe in Christ is to have eternal life. Not to believe in Christ is to face eternal condemnation. My eternal destiny, according to the Bible, is based on “belief in Christ”!

How could something of such incomprehensible consequence be based on something so simple? So simple that a child could do it! It’s because God is testing the heart not the head. To believe in Christ is to trust what the Word of God declares concerning Christ. God gave the Bible that you might know the Son of God. He gave the Bible that you might trust His Son and receive forgiveness, that you might receive eternal life.

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