The Band And The Master

We had three kids. They were all in the Junior High band at different times over a seven-year period of time, so I got to go to seven straight years of Junior High band concerts. Now I enjoyed watching our kids develop musically, but I cannot say that it was a memorable musical experience. Now fortunately they stuck to pieces that were at their level. But suppose they had attempted Beethoven. Okay, imagine you don t know much about Beethoven. I tell you, Beethoven was a musical genius. Well why don't you come to the Junior High band concert with me. They're playing a Beethoven symphony. I know you are going to be impressed with Beethoven's ability. Okay, now it's after the concert, and I go, "Oh, what did you think of Beethoven?" And you go, "I am not impressed!" I'm going to tell you, "Oh, I know there were a lot of squeaks and squawks, and instruments missing, but please, please don't judge Beethoven based on the way they play his music. He's a genius, but they just don't play his music very well."

Well I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about The Band and the Master.

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Mark, Chapter 1, Verses 16 & 17. There are two words here that instantly eliminate so much confusion, and most of the reasons for not committing yourself to Jesus Christ. Here is what it says, Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee, and He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come follow Me" Jesus said. And at once they left their nets, and followed Him. Not long after that, it records in Mark, Chapter 2, Verse 14, that Jesus came up to Levi, who was a tax collector, and he came into his tax collector's booth and said, "Follow Me." Well Jesus kept saying this to people - "Follow Me." In other words, He is saying, "I'm the issue." That is why one of Christianity's most brilliant minds, the Apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 2:2, I was determined when I was among you to know nothing, except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. He said this is all about Jesus, and Him dying on the cross for you. See so many people's objections to Jesus are because of the way Christians have played His music. Those people are hypocrites - those Christians. Well, was Jesus a hypocrite? Well, the church is only after money. Is Jesus? So the only reason for not being a follower of Jesus is something about Jesus. If you don't like the inconsistencies in Christianity, neither do I - neither does Jesus. But that's no reason to put off the Son of God.

Maybe you've been burned by Christianity, or Christians somewhere along the way, but it wasn't Jesus who did that. And as the bumper sticker says, "Christians aren't perfect, but they are forgiven." We don't always play His music very well, but we're practicing. We're trying to sound more like Him. But don't reject the Savior because of something His imperfect followers have done. When you take your last breath, and your heart beats for the last time, it will be Jesus and you, face to face, and all that will matter, then and forever is how you responded to His life-changing, life-giving invitation - "Follow Me."

If you want to be sure you belong to Jesus, you are only a prayer away. Jesus created you. He opened the way to God by loving you enough to die in your place for your sin. He loves you very very much, and He has been waiting a long time for you. How many more times will there be? I don't know. The only guaranteed one is today. Yeah, the band isn't perfect, but the Master Jesus is the one you can totally trust. Now haven't you lived without Him long enough?

YOURS FOR LIFE!

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Last Update: 03/09/1997

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