Good afternoon. The first item of business this afternoon is time for reflection, and our leader today is Professor Bob Akroyd, moderator of the general assembly of the Free Church of Scotland.
Presiding Officer and members of the Scottish Parliament, good afternoon.
John C Maxwell, author of “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” asserted:
“Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you.”
In 2024, every choice you make here makes you. Every choice you make makes our nation and impacts our people.
Two thousand years ago, a large crowd was given a choice. There were two prisoners: Barabbas, a convicted murderer, and Jesus, a preacher and miracle worker. One could be released; the other would be crucified. The response was unanimous: “Not this man, but Barabbas.”
George Bernard Shaw once said:
“Why not give Christianity a trial? The question seems a hopeless one after 2,000 years of resolute adherence to the old cry of ‘Not this man, but Barabbas.’”
Shaw’s conclusion was striking:
“Yet it is beginning to look as if Barabbas was a failure”.
The way of Barabbas is strangely contemporary. Like Frank Sinatra, Barabbas did life his way. The way of Jesus is completely different. He went around doing good by putting others first. He even gave his life as a ransom for many. The verdict then was, “Not this man.” Has much changed? G K Chesterton once said:
“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”
As 2024 commences, you confront many problems. Much wears us down and much weighs us down. This is true for you, as legislators, and true for your constituents. Jesus invites us personally:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
He bears our burdens. He is willing and able to help. Jesus gets us.
For more than 20 years, I volunteered with Bethany Christian Trust, and I currently serve as a chaplain at Saughton prison, here in Edinburgh. I have seen Jesus meet people. He does take away their burdens and he does give rest. Jesus meets people exactly where they are, but he does not leave them where he finds them. The change is profound and lasting.
Why not give Christianity a trial? Consider Jesus’s life, consider his death and consider his resurrection from the dead. You can change your mind about Jesus. Your first answer does not have to be your final answer. Every choice you make makes you.
Let me close with a benediction: the blessing of Aaron. May these words warm your hearts and enlighten your minds as you make choices with profound consequences.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
May God bless you all.
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