3-10-2014

Good Morning to All,

     Isaiah 53:5; “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

     “The things we so for Love” was a song by a group called 10cc.  It was a lover’s lament about how crazy it was for him to be in love with the girl that he was in love with.  He tried to call her but the lines were down (old song).  He is convinced that she wants to break up with him but she comes to him and wants to make up and start over.  The poor guy is lost but he is completely in love.

    There isn’t much we wouldn’t do for the one or ones that we love.  If one of our children needed a kidney transplant, we would be the first to volunteer.  If a sibling needed a bone marrow transplant, we would be tested immediately in order to help.  We understand the idea of enduring something painful in order that someone we love would then be able to live a better life.

    This is how we should look at what Jesus did for us.  He did it out of love.  Our verse is part of what is called the “Suffering Servant” of Isaiah.  Isaiah explains how the Messiah will come as a servant and suffer the punishment that we deserve.  This is done entirely out of love; similar to what a parent or a family member would do for one of their beloved except at a greater level.  It was done for us out of love and not out of duty.

    The reason we want to look at this is because we should respond to what Christ did for us out of love and not out of guilt.  Too often, we look at what Jesus did for us and we feel guilty.  Rather we should look at what Jesus did for us as the ultimate act of love.  It is this love that we should then emulate as we interact with those around us.  We should interact with and through love not through guilt or duty.

   Think how our interaction with those around us was out of love and not out of duty.  It would be more spontaneous and inviting.  It would be freer in coming and more open to response.  It could also encourage a greater level of reconciliation as those whom we love would be encouraged to love us back and to then love others around them.

    So as we travel through this Lenten season and we look at the suffering of Jesus.  Try not to feel guilt but rather feel love.  Don’t look at what Jesus did for you and think “I owe him big time” rather look and think “that is how you love someone”.  If we respond to love with love, our life will be far more content and far more peaceful.  For the things we do for love are borne out of desire and hope.  Hope that comes from Christ.

Father, in Jesus we see love in its purest form.  We see love in its total perfection.  Help us to respond with love and not with guilt, to respond with love and not from a sense of duty.  Help us to respond to those around us who are in pain or lonely, lost or in despair.  Guide us with your love to show them the love that you give to us.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret