Eastertide
June 4, 2014

Scripture Reading: John 3:31-36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.   — John 3:36 

Funny, the picture of wrath that comes to my mind is one of violence. Some big scary thing that rises up on its back legs in sudden anger with the intent to cause me harm. Don’t know where that comes from—probably the movies. God’s wrath as used here is a settled anger growing over time against one who has apparently exhibited a chronic pattern of disobedience to his or her own detriment. It seems God truly does love us, wants the very best for each of us, and when we regularly choose to act in ways that are harmful to our eternal life God wants to rectify the situation.

This isn’t just about some time in the future; it is about now. Eternity begins when we enter into relationship with Jesus Christ. The not see life mentioned in the scripture above applies to how we are living at this very moment in time as much as it applies to forever.

Jesus taught us many things but his commands were really simple: love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. He might throw in something about going into the whole world and making disciples, but isn’t that truly covered in loving our neighbors?

It is we humans who complicate obedience. What is the minimum amount of love God needs for me to fulfill the requirement to love God? Who is my neighbor after all? What constitutes a “true” disciple? Are they all like me? Do they worship like me, eat like me, move and have their being like me?

We are called to love upon love including God and our neighbors. There can never be too much love. God surely loved diversity or God would not have created a human race with so many different variables. And who knows by loving God’s diverse people I may find a joyous way to worship about which I knew nothing or a tasty treat worth sharing, or a wonderful form of movement that strengthens my weary bones and gives them a few more years of flexibility.

Prayer: Dear Friend, let us love one another for love comes from you. Amen.—paraphrasing 1 John 4:7

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.