March 14, 2021 Fourth Sunday in Lent

John 3:14-17  (The Message)

¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹

Love is a universal theme of humanity.  It is something we all need - to love and be loved.

Love is also at the center of the Bible, which is a love letter from God.

God does not love only those who love God. God loves the world! Everyone!

Not even our rejection of God stops God from loving us.  As Luther said:

“Nobody is in this life nearer God than those who hate and blaspheme him. He has no more dear children then they.”

God’s grace is Gods love in action.   We can’t get out of being loved by God.  That is the bottom line!  It is at the core of all we believe.  We cannot manipulate God into loving us more then others or letting us decided who God loves and who we can condemn because God doesn’t love them.  That is not ours to do!

In fact, we are free to do as we please, as one who is loved by God.  God takes the risk that love will make a difference in our lives and in how we live.  

It is a big risk - as these words of John Lewis remind us:

“Know that the truth always leads to love and the perpetuation of peace. Its products are never bitterness and strife. Clothe yourself in the work of love, in the revolutionary work of nonviolent resistance against evil. Anchor the eternity of love in your own soul and embed this planet with goodness. Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won.” 

^{“Clothe yourself in the work of love,}      

^{in the revolutionary work of nonviolent}

^{resistance against evil.”}

^{John Lewis}

^{Prayer thought for the week:  “God loves me!  And calls me to love as I have been loved.}

^{It is an awesome task!  I fail often!  Lord, forgive me so I can try again!”}