In Jesus Holy Name May 13,2025
II Timothy 1:4; 3:14,15
“The Keeper of the Spring”
The late Peter Marshall, for several years was the chaplain of the United States Senate, He used to love to tell the story of "The Keeper of the Spring,"1 about a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slopes of the Alps.
The old gentle man had been hired many years earlier by a young town council to clear away the debris from the pools of water that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. With faithful, silent regularity he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt from the fresh flow of water. By and by, the village became a popular attraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystal clear spring, farmlands were naturally irrigated, and the view from restaurants was picturesque.
Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semiannual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure being paid the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? For all we know he is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer!" By a unanimous vote, they dispensed with the old man's services.
For several weeks nothing changed. By early autumn the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of water. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A couple days later the water was much darker. Within another week, a slimy film covered sections of the water along the banks and a foul odor was detected. The millwheels moved slower, some finally ground to a halt. Swans left as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village.
Embarrassed, the council called a special meeting. Realizing their gross error in judgment, they hired back the old keeper of the spring . . . and within a few weeks, the river began to clear up. (Insight for Living Charles Swindol)
Happy Mother’s Day Mothers are the keepers of the spring. In the beginning of creation God said everything was good. The first negative is when God said “it is not good to be alone. Man was created to be in a relationship of love with his creator. But Adam wad alone. In Herew “ish’ is ‘man and “ishah is woman. She was taken from his side not to be superior or inferior but helper. The Hebrew word for ‘helper” is “ezer, when used elsewhere in the bible it is translated “Strong deliverer, mighty companion, saver. On this mother’s day gentlemen our wives are our “ezer” strong deliver” mighty companion saver. On this mother’s day let me introduce you toLet me introduce you to a grandmother, mothe r and a boy. The grandmother’s name was Lois; the mother’s name was Eunice. (Read the text)
Eunice was raised in a religious Jewish home and her life was greatly influenced by her mother Lois. She loved the stories from the bible and enjoyed going to worship. They lived in a multi cultural community and she was attracted to a young Greek man, who was not into her Jewish religion. Against the advice of her mother she married the young man.
After a few years Eunice and her husband had a son, they named Timothy. In the meantime Eunice’s dad died and they asked Lois to come and live with them. Timothy was a delight to everyone. Both Lois and Eunice spent time telling him the bible stories. . We do not know what happened to Eunice’s husband but Lois and Eunice continued to raise Timothy.
One day a traveling preacher came to town by the name of Paul. He spoke about Jesus being the promised Messiah. They saw in Jesus the fulfillment of the promises of God to Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham. They became followers of “The Way” The name Christian had not yet been given to those who believed in Jesus.
When you read the book of Acts, Paul took special interest in Timothy and he joined Paul on several missionary journeys. Many years later Timothy would visit the new Christian churches that had been established, in Thessalonica, Ephesus, Philippi and Corinth. In Timothy we see the result of the spiritual impact of a grandmother and mother. They were the keepers of the living water that quenches spiritual thirst.
What did Lois and Eunice do? 1st They instilled respect for God’s word. 2nd Timothy saw godly character traits lived out. They lived out the verse in Deuteronomy 6 “Hear o Israel The Lord is one. Love the lord with all your heart and soul. Impress these commandments on your children. Talk about them when you are at home, when you get up and when you walk along he road..
Paul writes this about Timothy’s faith..’ I saw this in your grandmother Lois and your Mother Eunice, and now I see it living in you. They were ‘keepers of the Spring. Faith is not hereditary, but it is learned. Parents especially mothers keep the umbrella of God’s grace over their children. Motherhood is a special and important role that requires great love, patience, and sacrifice, mercy and forgiveness. These descriptive words are descriptions of the character traits of God that were displayed in the life of Jesus. When we experience patience, selflessness, kindness, care, mercy, forgiveness and love in our homes, it enables us to understand the love to Jesus.
So today, mothers will receive flowers, cards, scribbled notes from children and grandchildren, hugs and kisses. Every mom knows that children and husbands can be cranky, stubborn, selfish, and say cruel words. A mom loves and shows mercy because love overcomes bad attitudes. A mom loves because she has experienced God’s love and mercy. A mother loves because she is imitating Jesus.
Remember the words of Joshua to the Children of Israel “Fear the Lord and worship and serve Him, Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the river in Egypt. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord/
The people had choices.. Families today have choices. Who are you letting into your home, and I don’t mean the ‘Fuller bushman. Thousands of Advertisers want to change your home and the values of your children.
