Broken Watches

Bible Reading: Isaiah 44:6-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6

Lisa peeked her head into Mom’s room. “What are you doing?”

“I’m collecting things for the thrift store. I’m hoping someone else can put them to good use. Do you have anything to donate?”

“Maybe,” Lisa said. “But can I ask you something first?” She sat on the floor next to a pile of old jewelry. “In social studies, my teacher said there were many gods in ancient Egypt. Then she said there are many in our world today too. She said all religions are right, and my friends believed her. I didn’t know how to explain the truth.”

“Maybe I can help,” Mom said. “But first, what time is it?”

Lisa looked around for a clock.

“There are some watches there.” Mom pointed to the jewelry pile, and Lisa picked up two old watches.

“Well, this one says 12:05, and this one says 6:32, but they’re wrong. I know I’ve only been home for an hour, so it’s about four o’clock.”

“Can’t it be four o’clock and 12:05 and 6:32?” asked Mom.

“Of course not,” Lisa said. “They’re completely different times.”

Mom smiled. “It sounds ridiculous, but it’s no different from what your teacher is suggesting. It’s true there are a lot of different religions, but they teach completely different things. Judaism teaches that Jesus was a sinful man; Islam teaches that Jesus was a good prophet; and Christianity teaches that Jesus is the Son of God who became human to free us from our sin. And there are other religions with even more conflicting ideas. How can they all be right?”

“They can’t be,” Lisa said. “Do you think my friends will get it?”

“It’s pretty simple logic,” Mom said. “It might not make them immediately choose to trust in Jesus, but hopefully it will help them realize all religions can’t be true and they’ll ask more questions.”

“And hopefully I’ll be the one they ask!” Lisa smiled and got up off the floor. “I’ll go sort through my stuff now.” She pointed to the watches. “But do you think I could take those to school tomorrow to help me explain this to my friends?”

Mom handed her the watches with a grin. “See,” she said. “I knew there was someone else who could put these to good use.” • Heather Tekavec

How About You?

How many different religions have you heard of? Satan wants people to believe there are many ways to God so they won’t find the real way. And people are happy to look for the way that suits them best—but that won’t get them closer to God. It’s important for us to understand the truth and share it with others—Jesus is the only way to have eternal life with God.

Today’s Key Verse:
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus is the only way