One of the essential questions to which we need to have a deep, satisfying and enduring answer is "For whom are you working?"

If we are struggling with our daily tasks, and find little satisfaction in them, it is vital that we recognise that one of God's designs in sending Jesus is to give us one for whom to work who is a gracious and satisfying employer. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25 that on the day of judgement when the righteous are welcomed into paradise, they will be amazed to discover that they have fed and clothed, and visited when sick and in prison none other than Jesus himself, when in fact they have been visiting and clothing and feeding one of "the least of these brothers of mine". We often do not truly know those whom we serve, but we may be surprised to discover that they are none other than Jesus' brothers and sisters. One day we shall be surprised to see that here we have been serving Jesus as we have served them.

In John's third letter, he commends his friend Gaius for taking care of the personal needs of fellow Christian disciples, even though they have arrived in his midst as strangers. He reminds him that such service and attention to their practical needs is really care for God.

I had the privilege of attending this year's parliamentary prayer breakfast. The speaker, Ravi Zacharias, told us of meeting between certain Christian leaders and certain leaders of a organisation known for its commitment to the use of violence to destroy modern Israel, in which meeting he was given the opportunity to ask only one question. His question, to one of the leaders of Hamas, was simple: "Do you remember what God said to Abraham when he stood over his son Isaac, with the knife ready to fall to sacrifice him?" The answer being "No, I don't," Dr. Zacharias seized the moment to answer his own question by pointing out that God said, in essence, "The Lord will provide the sacrifice", and caused Abraham to see the ram caught in the thicket -- and then went on to tell the terrorist leader about the Son whom God had sent to be the sacrifice, concluding by saying simply and plainly to this effect: "Until we accept the sacrifice God provides, namely Jesus, we will continue to offer our own sons and daughters on the battlefields of life."

Here was an unexpected opportunity to share the good news of God's redeeming and reconciling work in Jesus. Afterwards, while leaving the once-in-a-lifetime meeting, Dr. Zacharias was accosted by the man with whom he had the conversation, who came up to him, greeted him with a kiss on both cheeks, and expressed his hope that they would meet again.

We do not know what seeds of Jesus' love which we may plant in another's life today may bear fruit tomorrow. Let us recognise, though, that our present and future satisfaction with how we live life will depend on whether we have lived for the Lord -- for Jesus -- or for ourselves.

Your Pastor and fellow servant,
James T. Hurd