The one the apostles nicknamed "Barney the Preacher"

Acts 4:36 (TLB)

Gumdrop Faith

Here's a scary thought: You're reclining in a dental chair, your mouth wide open, and your dentist says, "Oh no". This story isn't quite that disturbing, but several years ago my dentist was attempting to replace a crown when he muttered, "This isn't working". On a previous visit, I'd been given a temporary crown. I was told this appointment would be "quick and simple." The dentist only needed to remove the temporary crown and set the new one in place. Mere child's play... Then I began to wonder, "Why is it taking so long?"  

After being poked and prodded for several minutes with a plethora of dental instruments, I began to wonder if the staff might resort to a hammer and chisel. Finally, a dental assistant excused herself, stepping out for a moment. She emerged with a gumdrop, placed it on the temporary crown, instructing me to bite down hard and open my mouth quickly. Voila! The temporary crown popped out. It actually worked!  I couldn't help but chuckle. Here I sat in a modern dental office surrounded by millions of dollars of equipment, none of which was successful. Instead the dental team relied on a two cent gumdrop to get the job done. (I wonder if they added the gumdrop to my bill...)

Following Jesus is a lot like that. It's not always easy...but it's simple. I Corinthians 1:27 informs us, "God chose the foolish things of the world [the simple things- BC] to shame the wise."  In verse 20 Paul asks, "Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" God could use His complex "dental equipment" in carrying out His plans, but He chooses to work through simple "gumdrops". (Like us!) 

Think about it. How did He save mankind? With two pieces of wood fashioned into a cross! What about all the complicated commandments in the Bible? Jesus simplified hundreds of laws into two simple principles: "Love God and love others" (Matt.22:37-40). And, when you boil it down, what does it really mean to be a Christian? Simply believing that Jesus is who He says He is, and spending the rest of your life imitating Him. It's all so simple! It doesn't require a lot of expensive "equipment" to follow Jesus, just simple "gumdrop faith".

Peace Child

Don and Carol Richardson served as missionaries in Western New Guinea for years among the Sawi people. After learning their language, Don labored to share the love of Jesus with this tribe, but the Sawis resisted the mercy of God, as it was not a virtue they valued. Missionary historian Ruth A. Tucker writes: "As he learned the language and lived with the people, he became more aware of the gulf that separated his Christian worldview from the worldview of the Sawi: In their eyes, Judas, not Jesus, was the hero of the Gospels, Jesus was just the dupe to be laughed at." Then, he discovered the concept of "The Peace Child", and that changed everything! 

Two tribal villages were constantly at war, with much bloodshed. Unable to make headway, Don and Carol informed the Sawis that they were planning to leave. Because of the medical help they provided, the tribe was devastated by this news. The chief took drastic action. He summoned the enemy tribe and Don observed as they stood in a line, facing each other. The Sawi chief then snatched his infant son from the baby's mother. He walked down the line, with each of his warriors laying their hands on the babe. He then placed the child in the arms of the enemy chief. The enemy tribe disappeared into the jungle, and the child was never returned. 

The chief explained the meaning of this ceremony. "I offered my son as the Peace Child for our tribes. As long as my son lives there will be peace between our tribes. If he dies, war will resume. Anyone who kills a Peace Child will himself be killed." With this knowledge, Don was able to communicate how God offered his Son as the "Peace Child". The Sawi people now grasped the message and hundreds of them came to Christ. 

This weekend across the world churches are celebrating the sacrifice and triumph of God's "Peace Child", Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:5,12 states, "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him... For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." God gave up His Son, so we could live. Then He rose from the dead, ruling forever as God's Peace Child.  

crumpled, torn and stepped on

Imagine for a moment that I'm holding a crisp new $50 bill. Now imagine me extending my arm to you, offering it as a gift. (Remember, this is imaginary.) If this scenario was real, would you want it? Of course! Now imagine that I crumple it up. Then I throw it on the floor and step on it. Still want it? Absolutely! Even if I tear it in half and tape it back together, you would still want that $50 bill. Why? Because it's still worth $50. None of the abuse I've rendered to it, changes its value. It may not look as nice, or feel as nice or even smell as nice as a brand new $50 bill, but it's worth just as much either way. The highest authority in our land, the U.S. government, has decreed that this piece of paper, depicting President Grant, can be used to purchase $50 worth of goods and services. The appearance does not change its inherent worth in the slightest!

The same is true of us. Perhaps you've been "crumpled up", thrown down and stepped on by the world. Maybe you don't look or feel "crisp and new". Instead, you see yourself as discarded like wadded-up paper. None of that matters! The Highest Authority in the universe, our Creator and Savior, has decreed your worth. No matter how you look, what you've been through or what others may think of you, nothing changes the value He places on you! 

Before the beginning of time, He loved and chose you (Ephesians 1:4). He paid the ultimate price to purchase you, the blood of his Son Jesus, which is of immeasurable worth (I Peter 1:19). You are "God's special possession." (I Pet.2:9). No matter how you look or feel, God has determined that you are of infinite value to Him, and nothing you do can change that! Feeling crumpled up, torn and stepped on? Lift your eyes and look to your Creator and remember your value!