“Tasting Jesus” 

I heard the story about a guest lecturer who spoke at a seminary one time. He talked for over 2 hours arguing that the resurrection of Jesus Christ never actually took place. To back up what he was saying, he quoted scholar after scholar, and book after book. He then concluded his lecture saying it was simply absurd to believe in something that defied pure logic. 

During a time of question and answer, well, an old preacher stood up in the back of the auditorium and addressed the guest lecturer. He said, “Professor, I’ve got one question.” The preacher reached into his sack lunch and pulled out an apple and began eating it. In between bites, he said, “My question is simple…” He paused for a second taking another bite out of his apple. He said, “Now, I ain’t never read those books you read. I can’t recite the scriptures in the original Greek. I don’t know anything about Niebuhr or Heidegger, and those other those fellas you quoted.” As he finished his apple, he said, “But, I just have one question. Was this apple I just ate bitter or sweet.”

Well, the professor paused for a moment and a confused look came over his face. Then, in his most scholarly voice he said, “My dear man, I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven’t tasted your apple.” 

The old preacher dropped his leftover apple into the crumpled brown sack, looked right at the professor, and said, “That’s right! And neither have you tasted my Jesus.” The audience erupted in cheers and the professor promptly left the platform.

The Bible says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34:8). You know what that is? That is God’s invitation for you to experience His son! 

We hope you will come and experience God’s son here at Chestnut Level for our Holy Week services, beginning with our Maundy Thursday Communion service tonight at 6:30 pm in the Family Life Center. We will also broadcast this service to you. Tomorrow night, we will hold our Good Friday service, also at 6:30 pm. Depending on the temperature, it will either be outside on the FLC lawn or in the Family Life Center. Please be aware that we will not be broadcasting the Good Friday service on any social media outlets. On Easter Sunday, we will be in the cemetery at 6:30 am for our sunrise service, and then in our newly renovated sanctuary service at 8:00 am and 10:30 am (see the broadcast link for 10:30 am), both of which we will also celebrate Easter Communion together. May Christ’s resurrection change your life, give you hope, and assure your future. He is risen! He is risen indeed! 

Pastor John