Thought for the week from the Rev David Jones (we 9th September 2012)

A highly successful businessman fell in love!

In terms of money and influence he was up there at the top. A chance meeting with a young lady led to romance.

Finding himself completely infatuated by her beauty and charm in no time he was ready to propose marriage. However, considering his wealth he decided to investigate her past. Eventually the private investigator brought an unblemished report. His wife to be was everything he had hoped for.

As he read the report he began to sink back in his chair totally relieved until he came to the last sentence. ‘Just one concern’ it read. ‘Lately she has been seen out with a certain businessman whose character and business deals are certainly questionable!’

Jesus told the story of a religious man and a tax collector who went to the temple to pray. The religious man full of arrogance and self righteousness boasted of his goodness and religious dedication while at the same time viewing with contempt the man at his side. The tax collector on the other hand confessed his sins pleading to God for forgiveness.

Jesus said that it was the tax collector who was forgiven while the religious man brought condemnation on himself for his arrogant self righteousness.

Jesus’ story illustrated the eternal truth that we all stand in need of God’s mercy and that none of us can boast about ourselves.

In knowing this we will then see others around us not as objects of condemnation but fellow travellers along the way, sometimes weak, often getting things wrong but loved and redeemed by God’s amazing love!

Rev. David Jones

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