From the Pastor’s Study

From the Pastor’s Study

Jodie E. Jackson, Sr., Pastor

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Salisbury

REVISING THE THREE R’S

You are probably familiar with the little jingle that goes: “Readin’ ‘n writin’ ‘n ‘rithmetic, taught to the tune of a hickory stick.” The Three R’s of Education! We can recall with differing nostalgic memories the days spent in what was admittedly sometimes a vain pursuit of knowledge.

The times have changed! Many Americans spend very little time reading, because it interferes with their TV viewing and computer games. Writing is no longer taught as a means of legibility, and signatures are mere scribbles. Mathematics is a subject to be avoided at all costs, since it does require some brain power. Most notably lacking in the modern educational scene is the old hickory stick, the fear of which inspired many in “olden times” to hit their books. Discipline in the classroom is a thing of the past, as the parents expect the teacher to administer necessary corrective discipline, but “not on my kid”.

There is yet another set of R’S that is slowly but surely fading away. Several years ago in my travels for the Department of Corrections I often passed St. George’s Catholic School in Linn. I do not recall the exact wording on the bulletin board that stood on that school’s lawn, but it repeated the “Readin’, Writin’, and ‘Rithmetic” R’s. It then went on to proclaim that the school taught another set: Respect, Responsibility, and Reverence. Wow!

There was a time when I regarded anyone over 30 years of age as “old as dirt”, and respect for the elderly was drilled in my generation. “Boy, you say ‘Yes, sir’ and ‘No, ma’am’!” And respect extended beyond that courtesy to respecting the belongings of others, to the rights of others, and to law enforcement authorities. Where has it gone!?

Responsibility was one of those virtues that was instilled and enforced, as well as the acceptance of the consequences of either responsibility or irresponsibility. In today’s society many feel the world owes them a living and all that goes with it, rather than living by the outmoded work ethic that the older generation knows.

The third of the triad, Reverence, is sadly lacking in these irreverent times, reverence for this country’s proud history, and more importantly, reverence in the religious area. God’s name is casually tossed about, and religion is seen as irrelevant in this electronic age.

Reverend Jay Self wrote recently in his church’s newsletter of still another set of R’s as found in John’s Gospel, Chapter 1, verses 11-14. (Stop right here, pull out your Bible, and read those verses.) “Where are you heading with all this, Preacher?” you might ask. So here it is: you can have all the aforementioned R’s in your life, and still be ill-prepared to go out into eternity, much less enjoy a full and significant life.

Apostle John says that how one deals with the claims of Jesus Christ on one’s life “puts the frosting on the cake”. This is done by receiving Jesus and His life-style into one’s life, rather than rejecting Him and shutting Him out of one’s life. That is a choice every person must make in order to have that “life more abundantly”. It is an absolutely critical element in experiencing the fullness of God.

This glad reception of Jesus in one’s life brings that person to another step, to another R—reflection. Consider the moon, especially the full moon. What is the source of its light? Does it have an inner core that causes it to glow like a light bulb? No, it is cold and lifeless. But it catches the sun’s rays, and then reflects them to us so that at times its soft rays light up the earth like daylight.

The little chorus goes “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” John says: “We have seen His glory!” And because we have seen that glory, we can understand and practice Jesus’ urging to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven”.

The third R is on the downside: rejection. How sad that mankind rejected Him and His claims, insisting that He be put to death. To reject His loving provisions is to distance one’s self from His “peace that passes all understanding.” Without the seasoning of His grace in one’s life, there remains nothing but a tasteless and meaningless existence, devoid of His presence.

I pray for you a glorious transformation in this blessed Easter season!