Eastertide
May 3, 2018
Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:1-6
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? –1 John 5:1-5
I remember the moment many years ago when I read and realized what John 16:33 meant: I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’ I think what strikes me most about this scripture is that Jesus’ conquering the world was already accomplished. This same language appearing in the above scripture relates to our work today. In a world that seems chaotic with many pursuing what is best for them alone or their specific group, conquering a world designed to foster the wellbeing of all seems impossible. Yet Jesus, the Christ, says whatever is born of God conquers the world.
We get frustrated when we do not see immediate results from our actions. Sometimes that causes us to take things into our own hands, trying to manipulate God’s time into our time. For example, I sense that among those who think to instigate a war in the Middle East will hasten the second coming. I wonder if God is waiting for our ability to love like Jesus matures to the point that we are ready to move to higher ground on the journey to the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.
If that is the case, we need to invest more time in practicing the art of loving one another like musicians practices their craft to attain perfection. We have a Master teacher; we need to follow his example and his words.
Prayer: God of Mercy and Justice, thank you for the gift of your son who taught us what love was all about and teaches us still through the presence of the Spirit. Amen.