Spiritual wine and milk are yours. Oh, there is no cost. Why try to put together so many dollars to buy what cannot be bought? Why spend, spend, spend on things that are not genuine? Why work so hard on having things that do not satisfy? Use your common sense. Jesus has nothing to sell, and your efforts to earn salvation are wasted energy. It is so much easier to do things the right way.

II. "Listen and see a miracle take place" (vv. 2-5)

Pay attention to what ultimately counts in all our lives. The richest of fare is yours. Eating what is spiritually good depends on the One in whom we find satisfaction and fulfillment. His name is Jesus the Christ. It is intended that your soul live and not be shriveled up, barely able to function. "Give thanks because My promise goes back to David. That faithful love manifested itself in My Son.

Don't forget David. He was chosen as My witness, leader and commander. Despite his frailty and sins, he is My son in the flesh. His greatness always looms large not because of his self-sufficiency but because of My sufficiency. Honor him but, of course, do not in any sense worship him. Learn that My dealings are like that. One day is like a thousand years and your immortality is a gift."

"Be reminded I have spoken to a special people. They are to be an instrument of salvation for the whole world. My Son comes from a rich heritage that I provided centuries before He came among you. The Holy One of Israel cares for all of humanity and seeks that none be lost." Nations will learn that only the fullness of God's revelation comes from Jesus the Christ. He is Savior and Lord.

III. "Seek the Lord and know He can be found (vv. 6-9)

God loves us beyond Our comprehension. His heart aches for those who spurn Him. He is near and will always welcome us home. Those deep in their sins are earnestly invited to forsake their evil ways. The evil man and his thoughts to hurt others has access to the Father. His thinking can be pure and undefiled but he must leave his evil ways. He is called upon to turn to his eternal Father, Who longs for him.

Boundless mercy is available. No one can become good enough on his own. Something much more profound is at hand. The great God of the universe offers His pardon free of charge. It is a miracle that many -- perhaps most -- do not understand. Doesn't everything have a price-tag on it? Well, maybe the answer is "Yes" and in this case it is humility. It is the admission we must kneel before our Lord.

One of the hardest lessons for us to learn seems to be our thoughts and ways are not His. Only God is all knowing and all powerful. We can never begin knowing that all beginnings and endings are with Him. In fact, He is before any beginning and after all endings, as we measure things. He is of the heavens and we are of the earth. Praise His holy and everlasting name the future is very bright! (Donald Charles Lacey)

March 25, 2001

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Forsake the Old, Receive the New