Magnets
by Shirley D. Tingle
Many who know me (and my quirkiness), also know that I have quite a collection of refrigerator magnets. Call me crazy, but when they’re all taken off the refrigerator doors, I don’t even recognize my own refrigerator! This harmless hobby started out innocently enough—finding one here and there that I liked, even with the making of some cute ones for myself and as gifts. That snowballed into me tracking them down on every vacation trip. I amassed (at least) 200 magnets, although I never really bothered to count all of them. They were kind of overwhelming. I finally made the executive decision to take some of them off the refrigerator doors and put them away. I have about 85 on there now. I’d have to say that refrigerator magnets are very “magnetic.” They seem to “draw” me to them! They have a certain “pull” that just seems to say, “Take me home!” And I do! They’re a colorful slice of life, a chuckle, a cool remembrance of a trip, and just plain fun! My refrigerator is like a little art gallery, and it’s just really “Me.”
Do you know anyone who has a “magnetic” personality—the kind of person everyone wants to be with or be like? This type of person just seems to “draw” or “attract” people to themselves, because they have some type of special warmth, charisma, kindness, or interesting way about them.
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, was a “magnet,” attracting all kinds of people to Him—some good, and some not so good. Christ’s time on Earth enlightened some, while enraging others. He was the most important man who ever walked the earth, and He changed the course of human life and history forever.
So, why were people so drawn to, or attracted to, Jesus Christ? Well, the wise men were drawn to Jerusalem, seeking a newborn baby, who would be the King of the Jews. They were drawn to Jesus to worship Him. Read Matthew 2:1-13, (KJV). They had studied what the prophet Micah had written in Micah 5:2, which says, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” They were eager to find Jesus, and even brought Him gifts. The “pull” was very strong.
There are also the doctors and learned men in the temple who were drawn to the boy, Jesus, who was hearing and asking questions. Luke 2:47 says that. . .” all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” How amazing it must have been for them to be having a discussion with this twelve-year-old boy, Jesus, who told His earthly parents that He was just doing His Father’s business!
Satan, of course, was drawn to Jesus because He was his biggest challenge. Satan tempted Jesus three times in the wilderness when Jesus went there to fast for forty days and forty nights. Jesus made a quick end of it by quoting scripture to Satan. Read Luke 4:1-11, (KJV).
Jesus’ apostles were drawn to Him. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,” brought the first two, Peter and Andrew, to apostle status, Matthew 4:19, KJV. When Jesus began His ministry—preaching, teaching, and healing, multitudes were drawn to Him as He went up into a mountain to preach His “Sermon on the Mount.” Words of encouragement, comfort, motivation, compassion, and a new doctrine that included loving everyone, even your enemies, astonished the people who were listening. They could feel the authority behind His words.
Jesus also attracted the attention of the scribes and Pharisees because He represented a threat to their way of living as Jewish leaders. They couldn’t tolerate the “new” doctrine Jesus was preaching. They sought to trick him with questions and even accused Him of being crazy. In the end Jesus would also draw the attention of those who accused Him of blasphemy, and ultimately, those who wanted Him to be crucified.
Christ said this about the crucifixion in John 12:32: “And, I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me,” (KJV). So, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, draws all men to Him through the gospel.
What is the gospel? It’s the “good news.” What could possibly be the best news you’d ever want to hear? How about this: that if you obey the gospel and live faithfully until death, you’ll receive entrance into Heaven for eternity on Judgment Day?
The gospel, the “good news,” is the story of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. This good news comes complete in the form of the written word, the Bible, specifically for us today, the New Testament. For those of us who want to be saved and have a Heavenly home, it also includes a plan of salvation for us to follow. We must: 1) HEAR: Romans 10:17; 2)BELIEVE, OR HAVE FAITH: Hebrews 11:6, John 8:24; 3)REPENT: Luke 13:3,5; 4)CONFESS: Matthew 10:32-33, Acts 8:37, Romans 10:9-10; 5)BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Matthew 28:19, I Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16, Galatians 3:27, Acts 8:38, Colossians 2:12; 6) LIVE A FAITHFUL LIFE UNTIL DEATH: Revelation 2:10, KJV. If we leave out a step, we don’t have all the “good news.”
Christ is like a beacon of purity and light that should draw us to Him. He’s the one and only perfect “magnet” that we should find ourselves wanting to “stick” to in our lives. As Christian “magnets” our goal is to never grow weak, to never “repel,” to never fall, and to “attract” others to the truth of God’s Word, including the gospel plan of salvation.
Let’s stay “attracted” to the truth of God’s Word and always be drawn to His Son, Jesus Christ, who saves us through His blood.