Because of health concerns for a great friend, this afternoon I taught his classes at our community college. When I entered one of the classrooms and asked if this was his class there was collectively immediate concern. “Are you subbing?” “Is he okay?” “Will he be back next class?” “What hospital is he in?” “Can I call him?” “He’s a great teacher.” “I miss him already.” These were just a sampling of the expressed care. I was very impressed with the impact he had been making on these young lives and hope I will not let him or them down. After one of today’s classes one of the students asked me if I was Jewish. I’m still trying to figure out why he wondered that. On this coming Thursday I need to ask him what I did or said that made him wonder. I assured him that I was a Christian.
While driving home, accompanied by a glorious sunset, I remembered I Peter 3:15 which says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Of course he did not ask “why.” He only asked “was.” If he had asked why, I hope I would have been quick enough to have an answer that went beyond, “Because I always have been.”
Each of us needs to stop all the momentum in our lives long enough to know why we love Jesus. We need to have a succinct response without a lot of “himming and hawing.” Or are we Christian merely because our parents were and our grandparents were? Peter was right. We need to be able to give a reason for this marvelous hope.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 11, 2013
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org