© 2008 Bill Newton
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Gooday,
My name's Bill Newton. I grew up on a farm near Casino on the north coast of N.S.W. Australia. Mine wasn't a "religious" family. But I felt God's presence in the beauty of the fields and mountains. But my goal was to be a rich and successful business man. With my wife Margaret and our first two children this goal was achieved when I was 24. But the double storey home, Sydney Harbour views and motor cruiser in the bay below, didn't bring contentment. Reading a Bible, I became a believer in Jesus Christ and for some 20 years, an Anglican parish minister. Taking leave, we started a business to finance "Good News Mission" for Christian book publishing, media outreach and distribution of our first book "How to Meet With God at Home." This book, "Jesus Christ REALLY Loves You" has taken Margaret and me many years to produce. In it we note the tendency to rely on church institutions more than on God in achieving His goals. But Jesus Christ said nothing about continuing His work through church institutions. The Old Testament and the Gospels reveal how institutional religion failed - especially in nailing Him to the cross. What He did say, was that He would empower those committed 100% to Him with THE POWER OF GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, to change the world. While they did that, as the Book of Acts reveals, His life was repeated. And the world needed NOTHING MORE THEN - NOR DOES IT NOW! The rest of the New Testament, apart from Hebrews and Revelation, is the record of those who took Jesus at His word. The Book of Hebrews calls Christ's followers BACK TO HIM and NOT to be sidetracked by focussing on ministers, sacrifices or church buildings. At 66, "young" Margaret and I share a life of rich blessings here in the beautiful Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia, where most of our 5 children and 9 grandchildren live. And the best is yet to come! - And now dear reader, we pray you'll surrender to the love Jesus Christ REALLY has for you and so completely, that people will look at you and SEE JESUS CHRIST, the person God designed you to be, THE TRUE YOU. Then, with Him, the encouragement of a few fellow believers PLUS NOTHING, go forward and God will write to-day's Book of Acts through you. Word will spread as things like this begin to
happen once again.
THE NOBLEMAN'S SON
(Also known as the second sign of Jesus while in
Galilee as told by Paul W. Newton, (c) 1999).
Imagine the scene.
You are a man of noble birth from Capernaum. You
have wealth, status and perhaps a title.
You are a family man who is the devoted head of
a noble and well known family.
One of your household is sick and you are worried beyond belief. Imagine the scene. It is your son, perhaps your first born and your
heir and you love him dearly.
He has lain down in his bed and a terrible
illness has struck him.
You send messengers out across the city to fetch
the finest physicians and bring them home so
that your son may be cured.
They come but they seem confused by his illness
and they can't cure him, he's dying and all they
can do is watch over him as he deteriorates.
You watch as your son gets worse and your grief and your despair grows by the hour. Thoughts race through your head, a son should
outlive his father?
I've watched him grow from a tiny babe, tiny fingers that clasped onto my hand and tugged at my beard and hair, joyful laughter that filled my house and mischief in his shining eyes AND HE'S DYING!!! You've heard of a man called Jesus, you've heard about him turning water into wine, you've heard about him being a great teacher and a leader of men. Perhaps he can help. I believe he can help. I must find him, he can come back to my home and maybe he can help. I know this man is in Galilee, it will take me a day to fetch him. You look upon your son one last time, he is so fevered now that he hasn't the strength to move, his face is flushed and sweaty and every so often he moans in his discomfort. His mother is beside him and servants are constantly dabbing at his brow with water soaked cloth. You are torn, should I stay or go (HE'S DYING). So you leave and as you do tears well up from inside of you and fill your own eyes. This may be the last time you see your son alive. You set off. I must find this man called Jesus, he is the only hope I have. You walk all day and night. Your sandals have blistered your feet, you've stumbled along the roads as you've gone, you've fallen over and torn your good tunic. You've greeted a new sunrise, still walking. Your head has been pounding with uncontrollable thoughts (My son might be dead by now). But you continue on. You pass a few travellers along the way, Have you seen this man Jesus? Where is he? I must find him. All too often the people you meet don't know nor have they heard of this man. Your hopes are renewed when you meet another traveller. Please have you seen a man called Jesus? "Yes" is the reply, "He is a great teacher, a prophet, a miracle worker." Please sir where is he I must find him. The traveller tells you. You are a mess, your fine clothes are torn, your feet are bleeding, your face is smeared with dirt soaked tears. You walk on to the place where the saviour is. You see a group of people gathered around him hanging on to every word. You shuffle through these people and you meet with him face to face. He is composed, purposeful, gentle and his eyes are filled with love and compassion. "Teacher, teacher, my son is dying, please come with me and heal him, I love him so and I don't want him to die." Jesus knows your hurt, your pain and your faith. Jesus speaks not only to you but to those gathered around and to the whole world "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe." You persist and beg him to come with you. But Jesus has other ideas. He heals your son without being present, he sees your faith, your strength and he's showing that a miracle can be done without witnesses, without proof and that faith is a foundation of belief. You don't know this, you are weak in your humanity but Jesus speaks to you directly "Go be on your way, your son lives." You believe his words, his authority and his grace and you turn to leave. These words are enough. You set off back to the city, another day's walk away. You have mixed emotions. You are tired, you are still suffering from grief, you are hurting and you are weary. You don't look like a nobleman any more. You walk all night and occasionally you trip over or stub your toe on an ill placed rock. Your feet have constantly fought against each step. In the distance you see your servants travelling forward up the road, they have come out of the city and walked many miles and travelled many hours to find you. The distance narrows and you recognise familiar faces. At first they don't recognise you, they've never seen the master in such a bedraggled state. Sir, Sir they call, we have news of your son.
"YOUR SON LIVES."
You fall to your knees and ask when, when did he
get better?
And they answer you.
"At the seventh hour, the fever left him."
You realise the significance of this moment and
again tears well up into your eyes.
This was the time that the saviour and king
spoke the words of healing that cured your son.
Your servants look upon you as you praise the
name "JESUS."
They are filled with awe at the sight of you and
your story.
They tend to your broken feet and clothe you in
new robes and you all travel back to the city.
Your joy is overflowing and you rejoice in what
has happened.
Nearing your home you are met by your son.
He has come out to welcome YOU home.
You embrace him warmly and hold onto him.
MY SON, MY SON, MY SON, you cry over and over.
You meet with your household, the physicians are
amazed, they could do nothing but watch, they
have never seen this before and they leave
somewhat dumbfounded by the events.
A feast is prepared and you tell of how you met
Jesus Christ. Your household are witnesses to
the miracle and they also believe in this man
called Christ.
True overpowering belief in Christ the
Lord and Saviour.
And now, on to the details of Jesus Christ's REAL LOVE for you. May God bless you REAL good as you read His Word. Bill and Margaret Newton, Woodford, N.S.W. Australia. July, 2000 |
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