WEEKLY LETTER FROM PASTOR KEN

Dear Church family,

In 2008, Tony Campolo wrote a book called Who Switched the Price Tags? He tells how some teenagers got into an elite clothing store one night. They thought it would be great fun if they switched the price tags on the clothes. For example, suits that were normally $1000 had their tags switched with suits that went for $200. Shirts that went normally for $29.95 were switched with $150 price tags. The store opened the next day as usual. The vandals long gone. And, indeed, their scheme worked. Some people got great buys that day while others were being ripped off, all because they had no idea of the proper value of the items they were buying. A number of hours went by before the store management realized what had happened.

Do you ever get the feeling that somebody has gone through our world and switched the price tags on everything? Things that ought to be treated as precious-like family, friends and faith-are inconsequential, and things like a new BMW or a new truck, membership in the country club or the climb up the corporate ladder, are all too often considered of great importance.

We are, indeed, living in a world where the price tags have been switched. Our values are messed up. The purpose in life for most people is rather simple: to make money; to acquire possessions; to enjoy life; and then, retire and live in affluence and idleness. Let’s face it, we are too often putting our energies into things that will be ultimately destroyed. But…the reality is--this is not a new phenomenon! “He (Jesus) came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11 (KJV) The world’s values have always been messed up, this is nothing new. I am reminded of a story I read years ago. It goes something like this…

One of our nations’ largest department stores invested heavily in a commercial venture. This venture proved to be an absolute disaster. It happened like this... During one session of brainstorming, one of the key merchandisers came up with the idea of a baby “Jesus” doll. It was to be advertised as being unbreakable, washable, and cuddly; packaged in straw with a satin crib and plastic surroundings; and appropriate biblical texts were added here and there to make the scene complete. The only problem--it didn’t sell. The manager of one of the department chain panicked. He could just see his storehouse full of Jesus dolls with no means of getting rid of them. What do you do when you have a piece of merchandise that does not sell? You cut the price!! So, as a last ditch effort to rid himself these Jesus dolls, the manager brandished a huge sign outside his store that read…

JESUS CHRIST
MARKED DOWN 50%
GET HIM WHILE YOU CAN

That scene just about tells it all: Jesus Christ, Marked down 50%, Get him while you can… The most precious commodity this world ever had was when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And yet, He was devalued, marked down, rejected, despised, forsaken, crucified. Jesus Christ—the Son of God—the King of Kings and Lord of Lords—the one who upholds all things by the word of His power—the Creator God, who spoke the universe into existence—the Word, who was in the beginning with God and was God—the promised Messiah—the Lamb of God, who came to take away the sins of the world… It was that Jesus who “… came unto His own and His own received him not.” Jesus Christ, Marked down 50%, Get him while you can… Indeed, the world’s values have always been messed up—are yours? Would you rather have Jesus than silver or gold? Would you rather have Jesus than riches untold? Would you rather have Jesus than houses or lands? Would you rather be led by His nail pierced hands? Would you rather have Jesus than to be a king of a vast domain? Would you rather have Jesus than be held in sin’s dread sway? Would you rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today? Would you rather have Jesus than men’s applause? Would you rather be faithful to His dear cause? Would you rather have Jesus than worldwide fame? Would you rather be true to His holy name? Something to think about…

In His Grip, Pastor Ken