for 15 DEC 07: NO EXTRA CHARGE

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: You may find this item humorous, serious, or a little of both - but we offer these thoughts from time to time, as we keep a seventh-day Sabbath.)

"Jerry Springer Show...." the man sitting next to me at the poker table started hesitantly the other night. "He's appearing in Columbus...."

"Jerry Seinfeld," I corrected him. "They're two very different shows." For one thing, I think Springer's voice is quieter.

"When's he coming to town?" the man asked.

"In March."

"He sold out! He sold 4,000 tickets!" In Columbus, that IS a bit hard to believe - especially since Jerry Seinfeld doesn't sing country music.

"They added a second show," I noted to the man.

"And the ticket prices START at 46 dollars!" He simply couldn't believe Jerry Seinfeld sold that many seats so fast. Tickets to see Carver High School play in today's AAA football final cost only 15 dollars - so Coach Dell McGee must be wondering what more it has to do.

"I'm a Christian," the man continued, "but I'm not sure I'd pay 46 dollars to see Jesus Christ appear at the RiverCenter."

"I probably would pay it," I answered. "I'd want to take it out of my tithe, though."

Would YOU pay money to see Jesus Christ? Some ministers talk as if there IS some kind of admission price for access to God. If you don't pay money, God won't bless you -- and might not even listen to you. They almost make the Creator of all life sound like a Washington politician.

The Bible clearly shows you should pay tithes and offerings to God. But that's not our issue here. A day is coming when Jesus Christ WILL make a grand appearance, and no tickets will be required. The first chapter of Revelation says so - the Revelation which was around long before the Ledger-Enquirer started checking Columbus Fire Department records.

"Every eye shall see him," Revelation 1 says about the future coming of Jesus. We noted earlier this year [20 Jan] that some ministers say this will be possible because CNN will televise it live. But I suspect God has something in mind which is much grander and larger - since this was written long before Anderson Cooper had a 360.

This great appearance of Jesus is one that everyone will see - which should mean you won't have to pay any money to see it. But let's go back to what the man next to me on poker night said. Would you want to see Jesus appear, at ANY price? Or is it something you'd rather not think about -- because He might treat you like one of those tables He once overturned in a temple?

Christians believe Jesus is coming again someday. And to borrow from a children's game: "Ready or not, He will come." It's better to be ready, and make the changes necessary in your life to get ready now. That way, when Jesus appears absolutely free of charge, you'll be free as well - free of sin and guilt.

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