AMNISSIEAS

Remember Jesus Christ, - 2 Timothy 2:8a (NCV)

      It had been two weeks since Harold’s accident put him in the hospital and Stella had been enjoying every minute of it. Not that she wanted to see her brother Harold in the hospital but for two weeks Harold had not been able to play any mean tricks on her. Not only that but for two weeks she had the house to her self because her parents spent most of their time at the hospital. That was all about to change.

      As Stella walked around the house into the backyard she met up with a boy that looked like Harold with a big bandage on his head. “Hi pretty girl,” he said, “What’s your name?” “You know who I am, Harold,” Stella replied, “We live together.” “You mean we’re married?” asked a puzzled Harold in return. “No, stupid.”Stella quickly responded, “I’m your sister.”

      Just than Bernadette showed up. She had come to see how Stella was doing but when she saw Harold standing there she froze. When she got over the shock of seeing him she blurted out “Harold, you’re back!” Upon hearing those words, Harold wanted to know who she was, what was wrong with his back and what a back was anyways. Than when Bernadette asked Harold if he was feeling okay he wanted to know how you feel an okay. Stella told Bernadette he was just acting his dumb old self again.

      An hour later when Barney stopped by, Harold had even more questions like who Barney was, and why was his skin was black and why everyone keeps talking about his back When Barney asked him if he wanted to go play at their favorite hideout all Harold could do was shrug his shoulders and say “What’s a hideout?”

      As Stella, Bernadette, and Barney stood around Harold wondering if he was playing dumb or if he really didn’t know, it was Bernadette that suggested that he might have amnissieas. “Do you mean amnesia?” Stella asked. “Yeah.” replies Bernadette.

      “I have an idea.” Barney piped up, “Let’s ask him the question he always knows the answer to and never jokes about.” “Harold,” Barney continued, “Who is Jesus?” Harold couldn’t answer it. “Who is Jesus?” he asked “Do I know him? Do I know all of you? I wish I could remember.” he continued.

      “If he can’t remember who Jesus is, he must really have amnissieas.” Bernadette declared.“This is terrible.” Barney said “2 Timothy 2:8 says we are to Remember Jesus.” “I don’t know.” Stella said, “I think I might like it if Harold has amnesia.” “I think I might know how to help Harold” Bernadette than said and she took off on the run.

      Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead, who is from the family of David. This is the Good News I preach,

2 Timothy 2:8 (NCV)

      How good is your memory? Do you suffer from amnissieas? (as Bernadette calls it)

      According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, "amnesia" as it it really called is difined in one of three ways

• loss of memory due usually to brain injury, shock, fatigue, repression, or illness - This would be Harold's problem in the story
• a gap in one's memory - This is what happens when we start getting...
• the selective overlooking or ignoring of events or acts that are not favorable or useful to one's purpose or position - This is the one many have when it comes to Jesus and God.

      In the Old Testament book of Numbers 15:37-41 we read of one of God's commands to remember - The Lord said to Moses, "Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God." (ESV)

      Unfortunately, the people of Israel had a problem of amnesia and would forget what God told them as in Judges 3:7-8 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. (ESV)

      Remembering Jesus, God, His commands etc. is something the Bible reminds us we should do.

• Hebrews 12:2-3 - Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying. (NCV)
• Ecclesiastes 12:1 - Remember your Creator while you are young, before the days of trouble come and the years when you say, “I find no pleasure in them." (NCV)

      Along with remembering, we also need to be a reminder to others so that others remember.

• 2 Timothy 2:11-14 - This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. (NLT)
• 1 Corinthians 4:16-17 - I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. (ESV)

      Here's Something to Ponder

• Are you remembering what you are to remember
• Are you helping others to remember