Eastertide

May 7, 2021

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?

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.

What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 says, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Faith is trusting in the advice of a valued source that has passed the test of time. Jesus Christ demonstrated his value in his sojourn on earth. He went so far as dying on a cross to save us from ourselves and the evil that distracts us. He conquered the world in his resurrection and the subsequent gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us. If Jesus proclaims that loving God and loving one another is the way to fulfill God’s Kingdom, we can count on it being the way, the truth, and the life. (See John 14:6)

Why do we make life so hard? Have we ever tried loving like Jesus 24/7? I have been trying to change my everyday habits, like washing my dishes immediately after my meal instead of leaving them in the sink until the next meal. Living alone opens doors of opportunity to be untidy, particularly during the pandemic. I am trying to add one better habit at a time. I think we all might want to dedicate our post-pandemic year to practice loving like Jesus until it becomes a habit. That first will require us to review and learn anew how Jesus loved. We then need to discern the areas we are already doing reasonably well and target the areas that need improvement. We might start with a few simple things. I am a terrible card sender, but I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to get a card in the mail sometimes, just to say I hope you are doing well.

Prayer: Lord, help us see the opportunities we have to love like you. Amen.

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.