“Love Is Alive”
“Love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus commands this to his disciples during the Last Supper. We heard this again last Thursday evening as we observed Maundy (meaning “commandment”) Thursday. He goes on to set the bar for love quite high: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus goes on to do precisely that the following day.
I would propose that while Jesus had only one life to lay down, had that been the end of it, the impact of his love would be far less than it is today. Because Jesus was raised, is alive to this day and will live forever, his “no greater love” continues to pour into the world.
The Easter season is 50 days long, seven weeks between Easter and Pentecost. Our readings during this season include post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples. This year they also include a reading from 1 John each week. 1 John includes some of God’s most compelling teaching on love within Christian community. “God is love.” “Perfect love casts out fear.” “We love because he first loved us.”
I’m looking forward to reflecting with you on the bold claims that this love makes on us and for the world. See you in church!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Don Wink