The fresco, or painting of Christ, was a little known piece of art by a minor Spanish artist. But now that it has been ruined by a botched restoration attempt it has become a global icon almost overnight. The truth is that nobody really knows what Christ looked like when he walked on this earth. So the destruction of a minor piece of art is of not great importance. But what is important and far more serious is the misrepresentation of Jesus that is widespread today. For example, some say He’s is not God, but just a good teacher. Some even attack His character and His morals, suggesting that He was having an affair with Mary Magdalene. This is sad. Jesus is the eternal One, the only son of God, and born of a virgin. By His death on Calvary’s cross, He became the Savior of the world, the only Savior: He said,” I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.”

Colin Weatherby, in Psychology Today writes, “Our powers of prediction are 30% more accurate when gauging the performance of others than our own.” Why is this? Because we base our judgment on hard evidence but our own failures we excuse as aberrations. In self-analysis, we are all guilty of having blind spots. Even more serious however, is a blind spot in regards to eternal matters pertaining to our spiritual welfare. Many of us have convinced ourselves that everything is relative; what’s wrong for some may be right for me, God is love, He won’t punish sins or as many believe, death ends it all. Serious blind spots indeed! Jesus said,” I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Someone wisely said, “There is none so blind as he who will not see.” That kind of stubbornness and head in the sand attitude can bring tragic results.

Will the real nurse please stand up? Because of confusion caused by casual dress, the Nova Scotia Nurses Union has adopted a uniform-black skirt or pants and a white top; so that all nurses will be easily identifiable. If you are a patient, this is very important. Sometimes there is confusion also in the area of Christianity. Is a Christian a person who does good deeds? One who attends church? Anyone who lives in a Christian country? The Bible makes it very clear. Jesus once said, “repent and believe the gospel.” A Christian is a person who has repented of his or her sins and trusted Jesus Christ alone to open the door to heaven….not becoming a perfect person, but a forgiven sinner. The new testament book of Acts puts it this way-“nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Dr. Nelles Silverthorne was, for many years, a consulting physician at the hospital for sick children in Toronto and a research scientist. He made some outstanding contributions to medicine. When whooping cough was a dreaded disease, he developed a vaccine for immunization against it. At a time when many children were dying of measles-pneumonia, Silverthorne, with the aid of an engineer, developed the first ever oxygen tent. But he says his “greatest discovery ever” came when he became a Christian. Writing of the experience later, Dr. Silverthorne said, “Whoever reads this, please be assured that being born again is the greatest decision and the most thrilling experience you can have on earth.” Jesus said, “You must be born again” and “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

“No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” Those words from Desiderata were once quoted by the late Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau – after an election defeat. They follow the phrase, “Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” The Desiderata goes on: “Be careful. Strive to be happy.” It sounds good, but offers no way to be happy. However, the Psalmist wrote, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Though mankind is on a downward path, God sent his Son Jesus to lift us up. Christ died on Calvary as our substitute, so that when we invite Him into our lives by faith, we don’t have to “strive to be happy” on our own. With Christ in our lives, God is in control, and His universe is unfolding exactly as He planned.

John Milton, the great English poet, endured much suffering in his life. At the height of his writing career, his eyesight began to fail. Because he was a devout follower of Christ, he did not become bitter, but accepted his condition. Amazingly, after he became blind, he produced that great epic Paradise Lost. Perhaps today I speak to someone who is similarly afflicted. Or it may be that you have recently lost a loved one, or have had a serious financial setback. Whatever your situation may be today, God’s word tells us that, when we have Jesus in our lives, no affliction or heartache is too much. He has promised that “Underneath you are the everlasting arms.” Maybe, God is allowing you to be in a difficult situation to bring you face to face with your need of Him. I encourage you to respond as John Milton did, and leave your future in His hands.

Prince William has come to the rescue again. This time a Canadian woman, Darlene Burton, was air lifted to a hospital in North Wales by none other than the Prince. He has been working as a helicopter reserve pilot with the Royal Air Force since his wedding. I’m sure Ms. Burton will not forget this one – rescued by a future king. But did you know that the prince of peace, Jesus Christ himself, came to the rescue of not just one person, but all of mankind? In eternity past He looked over the battlements of Heaven and saw all of us who would be born and saw our spiritual needs. He was willing to leave Heaven in order to come to our aid. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. He died in our place on the old rugged cross. He is the ultimate hero of all time.

A recent book about backpacking in Canada warns that some maps are hastily printed without accurate date. Such mistakes can be tragic. Over the past three decades, scores of people have perished because they followed faulty maps. In our life’s journey it is vitally important that we have an accurate map. Man’s philosophies change. What is considered accurate or scientific information today is often far different than that of one hundred years ago. But God’s Word, the Bible, is unchanging truth. It presents an unchanging God and an unchanging way to Heaven – through Christ – who is the same yesterday, today and forever. He once said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” The Bible is a reliable map for life’s journey. If we read it and follow its directions, we will never go wrong.

A British medical journal reported the case of a 76 year old woman who visited her doctor complaining of stomach pains. Seems that 25 years ago she had put a pen in her mouth, fallen, and swallowed the pen. The x-ray equipment of that day did not detect it, but the modern cat-scan picked it up. It reminds one that there is also something buried deep in all our hearts – a sinful nature. Inadequate testing, like human reasoning and belief in the mythical divine, reassures us that all is well. But the pain is still there. And when we subject ourselves to the x-rays of God’s Word, the problem is properly diagnosed, and Jesus the great physician is ready to operate and bring spiritual healing. But he does not force himself upon us. He waits for us to ask. He has said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.”

As the largest land animal in existence, the elephant generates an extraordinary fascination for us. It’s no wonder that zoos around the world keep numbers of these huge animals for public viewing. Unfortunately, the Toronto zoo has lost seven elephants since 1984, due to cold winters and lack of adequate space. Experts advise that more comfortable facilities need to be found for the remaining elephants. In other words, “if you love them, set them free.” Of course freedom is not only important to animals but for people too – often we feel bound by habits, problems and relationships, and feel much like an animal in a zoo. Look up! Freedom is available. Jesus has said, “You shall know the truth, and the true shall set you free.” And that truth is that, though we are all spiritually needy, Christ paid our sin debt on the cross, and offers to forgive us and set us free.