Which Way?

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.

-- 1 Corinthians 1:18

Read: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31

• Genesis 41-42
• Matthew 12: 1-23

     Every night, Howard and Mel frequented the cheap bars in Grand Rapids, Michigan, hoping to drown away another miserable day. Finally, the pain of wasted life was too much, so Mel hopped a train for Chicago, where he hoped to end it all.

     But as he walked barefoot through a Chicago snowstorm in 1897, heading for a self-imposed demise in Lake Michigan, he was stopped by a worker from the Pacific Garden Mission. Mel went inside, heard the gospel, and accepted Christ as his Savior.

     Later, Mel went back to Grand Rapids to start a mission. Howard heard that he was saved and sober. But instead of trusting Jesus, Howard just laughed at "Old Mel." To him, "the message of the cross [was] foolishness" (1 Cor. 1:18). Finally, the drinking took its toll on Howard, and he committed suicide.

     More than 100 years later, the Mel Trotter Mission still welcomes people who need a place to stay and who need Jesus. And 100 years later, our family is still saddened by Howard's demise. He was my wife's grandfather.

      Like Mel and Howard, we have a choice. "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36). What do you choose? --Dave Branson

Which way will you take? The question is clear -- the choice you must make 

with a heart sincere; To Jesus the Lord you now are inclined -- Today is the day to make up your mind. -- Hess

To choose Christ now is a choice for eternity.