God’s love

Foot-Washing Love

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Over the years, I have heard many pastors elaborate on the various kinds of Greek words that can be translated as our English word, “love”, and that of all these, the love of God is “agape”, love. Agape is not a selfish human love, that loves only if it is reciprocated. Nor is it a familial exclusive love, as wonderful as that is, because Jesus tells us that God loves in a way that He sends the rain on both the good and the bad. Those who hate Him, receive the same sunshine, smell the same flowers and breath the same air. But Jesus knowing that we needed something more than just an accurate definition, showed us His love in a strange and unique way.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:2-4

Perhaps what impresses me most in this story, is that Jesus washed the feet of friends who would soon run away and hide. He washed the feet of Peter, who would deny Him, and of Thomas who would doubt Him and even of Judas who was about to betray Him. And when Jesus had finished showing us His foot-washing kind of love, He gave a command.

 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. John 13:14

So, though we should be doing this all year round, at least we could begin learning during Lent, this foot-washing kind of love. When we return from running away doubting and denying, and take towels and basins, and humbly kneel down, let’s begin washing the feet of all kinds of other people, just as Jesus has washed ours.

High as the Heavens Love

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him – But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children. Psalm 103:11; 17 ESV

During Lent, many of us carefully consider what things we are willing to give up. But maybe we ought to think instead about what new thing we will dare to do for Jesus. While our love is defined by things like a ring, a promise of a gift of flowers, God’s love stretches far beyond our horizon. We often sing about how God loves us – no matter what we have done. But this love of His is also eternal and will extend after we are gone to our children, grandchildren, neighbors and even our enemies. God’s love is more than just passionate emotion; it is dynamic world changing power. God’s love stirs everything and everyone it touches into action. God’s love forms planets and feeds the hungry. The love of Jesus transforms water into wine and murderers of Christians, like the Apostle Paul into messengers and martyrs for the faith. So why not ask today how in some small way, can we reflect this “High as the Heavens are above the earth,” love of Jesus Christ? How can we show to others God’s everlasting love that was given at the cross and in the joy of Easter morning, when He rose from the dead?

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A Certain Man

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments 
Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Luke 10:30 NKJV

The parable of the Good Samaritan is a story that even non-believers know and love. There are Samaritan hospitals, charities and even a national Good Samaritan day! (March 13th). Who doesn’t want to rush in to save a helpless child, an abused widow, or an innocent bystander being robbed? But what we miss about the guy being rescued is that he was just an ordinary person, who Jesus calls a “certain man”. Maybe he cheated on his taxes, was unfaithful to his wife or wiped his nose in public. When Jesus says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus isn’t saying, “Love your nice neighbor,” or “Love the sweet old lady next door who gives cookies to all the kids on the block.” Jesus is commanding us to love the pain-in-the-neck neighbor who doesn’t always pick up after his dog, doesn’t mow his grass and who plays loud music late at night. Yes, that neighbor!

And did Jesus tell us it would be nice and easy? Absolutely not! Loving your certain man neighbor is going to cost you something. It cost the Good Samaritan, two-day’s pay, a long walk to the inn and a half a bottle of wine and another of olive oil. It might have cost him his reputation among other Samaritans for stopping to help a Jew. Yes, being a good neighbor to that “certain man,” who God puts in our path today might cost us a lot. But when being a good Samaritan or a good neighbor seems unreasonable, expensive or even dangerous, just remember that it cost Jesus everything including His death on the cross for you and for me!