Recently I dug out the gum ball machine in my office. I have had it for a long time, but
the only thing I ever had in it were golf balls. I decided to find it, clean it up, and fill it with
gum balls, again. A penny a twist. Surprisingly while I was wondering where to start my
search I was looking right at it. Thank you Jesus. (yes, Jesus even cares about gum ball
machines, it's not very high on His list, but He cares.)

   I soon discovered finding the machine was the easy part, now I had to find gum balls (I
know, I know, look on line.) After about a week of searching I did find them-at Hobby Lobby.
I checked to make sure they weren't just decorative made of wood or something. They are real
gum balls. Then I looked at the price, and I realized that they better be real.

   As I was considering the price two different thoughts swept through my mind. First, yes
my grandkids, and other children who may come into my office, are worth it Secondly, I
noticed something else on the shelf-little Jesus'. Here's where my weirdness came out. Are
you ready?

   I noticed the price tags. A bag of Jesus' cost $2.99. A bag of gum balls cost $4.99. In
what world are gum balls worth more than Jesus? The answer-ours.

   Our modern, enlightened, self-sufficient world believes that it doesn't need Jesus
anymore. After all, we have 'influencers' to tell us what to eat, what to wear, how to speak,
what to read, where to go to church, and......what to believe.

  Two thousand years ago the Son of God came, lived a sinless life in the midst of a sinful
world, died a sacrificial death for you and me (ask an influencer to do that), was buried in a
sealed, borrowed tomb, and three days later defeated death, rose from the dead, appeared to
more than 400, and ascended to the Father.

   Jesus didn't just tell us, He showed us. He proved it. He didn't come to influence us,
He came to save change us-forever. Today's influencers will be tomorrow's 'what ever
happened to ???' Today's Jesus will be tomorrow's Jesus, and next week's, and next month's,
and next year's, and eternities 'Jesus.
The question I will never be 'what happened to Jesus', the question IS, 'What happened
to us'?

   Friends, a gum ball will last about two minutes, unfortunately it's about the same
amount of time as many people's faith.

   What's worth more to you, two minutes of chewing or an eternity, beginning now, living
with Jesus? I plan on spending eternity with Jesus because of Who He is and what He's done
for me; I also long to spend eternity with YOU, worshiping side-by-side in His presence. Don't
be fooled by an internet influencer, trust in the Real Thing-Jesus Christ.

        IT'S EASTER, THE RESURRECTION, CHRIST LIVES!!!