John 5:24 (ESV)
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and
believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but
has passed from death to life.
In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte , North Carolina ,
invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor.
Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation
because he struggled with Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte leaders said,
"We don't expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you." So
he agreed.
After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham
stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I'm reminded today
of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time
Magazine as the 'Man of the Century.'
Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train
when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every
passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He
couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't
there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in
the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.
The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you
are. We all know who you are. I'm sure
you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it.'
Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued
down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he
turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking
under his seat for his ticket.
The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, Dr.
Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are No problem. You don't need a
ticket. I'm sure you bought one.'
Einstein looked at him and said, 'Young man, I too, know
who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.'"
Having said that, Billy Graham continued, "See the
suit I'm wearing? It's a brand new
suit. My children, and my grandchildren
are telling me I've gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this
luncheon and one more occasion.
You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I'll be
buried. But when you hear I'm dead, I
don't want you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing.
I want you to remember this:
'I not only know who I am... I also know where I'm
going.'"
Dear Lord, we thank You that we can know where we are
going because of what You did for us on the cross. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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