I sometimes think that shopping is too complicated.
There are too many choices!
Take toothpaste, for example. I can get it to
whiten teeth, or to freshen my breath. They sell it for sensitive teeth and for
soft enamels. Too many choices! I just need toothpaste!
Paper towel is another example. Some are the
strongest, some the most absorbent. Still others come with soap already in
them. Too many choices! I just need a disposable towel!
Today’s reading is 1Timothy 1:18-2:7. St. Paul, on
a mission trip, was giving instructions to Timothy, the delegate leader of the
Church at Ephesus.
Specifically, Paul is providing instructions
regarding worship. As part of his instructions on prayers, Paul reminds
Timothy, “For there is one God and one
mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a
ransom …” To the point, the only reason Timothy can pray to God is because
he has faith in Jesus, who enables believers to approach God directly with
requests.
In Paul’s day there were many religions claiming
to have a path to God. Of course, there were numerous pagan religions, with
priests encouraging people to worship creation,
such as an alligator, a river or the Sun, instead of the creator. There also were Gnostics who claimed knowledge (the Greek
word gnosis means knowledge) was
necessary to reach God, not Christ’s crucifixion. Finally, Judaism had become a
religion of Good Works.
Guess what? Things have not changed much in 2000
years. Pagan religions and Devil Worship exist today. The New Age Movement
tells us we have what it takes to save ourselves. And there are many, many
other religions that teach Good Works
are required to reach God.
The only way to Heaven is through Jesus. The only
reason we can approach God is because of Jesus.
What a blessing it is to approach God through
prayer. He hears them all and answers them all. Of course, he does not always
grant our request, but he does provide an answer.
Jesus is our mediator! Unlike shopping, Jesus is the only choice!
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