Zetland Park Methodist Church Pastoral Letters
April 2012
"Jonnie owes Mummy - nil"
There is an old story about a young lad, Jonnie. He was well looked after by his parents; good food and plenty of meals, a lovely play room and lots of toys, nice clothes and enjoyable holidays. However, like most young lads there was always something more he "needed". One breakfast time he placed a folded piece of paper in the place where his mother sat. When she came in she picked it up and looked at it. It read, "For clearing the table and stacking the pots 3d, for feeding the dog 3d, for taking the rubbish out to the bin 3d, for washing the car 3d. Total Mummy owes Jonnie 1 shilling … per week". His mother folded the paper up again and said nothing.
The next morning when Jonnie came down to breakfast he found a piece of paper in his place at the table. It read, "For providing all foods and meals - nil, for providing toys and holidays - nil, for providing a lovely room and lots of clothes - nil, for looking after Jonnie while he was sick with Scarlet fever - nil. Total Jonnie owes Mummy - nil". After reading it Jonnie burst into tears and rushed to give his mother a hug whilst sobbing how sorry he was.
So often we can be like Jonnie - expecting everything will go well for us and never experiencing any problems, always wanting more, feeling we deserve better than non-Christians. But the truth of Easter is that we have already been given more than we can ever imagine - for, in the death of Jesus on the cross, all our sins have been paid for, the Love of God for us is assured and our salvation is confirmed …. and all at absolutely no cost to ourselves, for it is all a free gift from God!
At Christmas we learn the incredible truth that God is with us in Jesus, but at Easter the truth we learn is that we will be with God always through Jesus!