“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not die, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

On this Easter Monday where we are mindful of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus gave when he went to the cross and rose again on the third day, I am reminded of a story Elder Amos Liburd told when he recently preached at our church. His sermon was entitled ‘God needs more pigs’. He told us that his would make sense at the end of the sermon and so like the rest of the congregation, I was indeed intrigued until the end. This was the story

 A Chicken and a Pig lived on a farm. The farmer was very good to them and they both wanted to do something good for him. One day the chicken approached the pig and said, "I have a great idea for something we can do for the farmer! Would you like to help?" The pig, quite intrigued by this, said, "of course! What is it that you propose?"

The chicken knew how much the farmer enjoyed a good healthy breakfast. He also knew how little time the farmer had to make a good breakfast. "I think the farmer would be very happy if we made him breakfast." The pig thought about this. While not as close to the farmer, he too knew of the farmer's love for a good breakfast. "I'd be happy to help you make breakfast for the farmer! What do you suggest we make?" The chicken, understanding that he had little else to offer suggested, "I could provide some eggs."

The pig knew the farmer might want more, "That's a fine start. What else should we make?" The chicken looked around...scratched his head...then said, "Bacon? The farmer loves bacon and eggs!" The pig, very mindful of what this implied, said, "That's fine, but while you're making a contribution I'm making a real commitment!"

Like the sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary, we need to make a commitment not just a contribution to Christian living. If we make that change today, we are one step closer to where Jesus we would have us to be.

Our music today is a choir favourite by the 19^th century composer John Stainer, ‘God so loved the world.’ Click on the picture to listen.