Clothe yourself with Love Col. 3:14

An Archbishop of Canterbury once wrote that we should embrace joyfully the love and forgiveness of God at all times---and allow God’s forgiveness to change us. I picture this as a journey with a destination to God’s immense love and forgiveness. Nothing in the Bible says that this journey is comfortable, but it’s the safest one. It’s fascinating that Paul’s words are painting the same profile picture of someone in the direction towards God’s embrace. What does such person look like? I don’t mean tall or short or fair skinned. God doesn’t look at that. I mean the character of Jesus’ follower. Why should we care about Christian character in our lives? What’s at stakes here? I will tell you: If our lives are not measuring up, we should know. The word of God is the plumbline. 2 e.g., of ignoring the stakes: The writing on the wall was destined to a King obstinate in his ways. Nothing scared him: it read: You have been weighed and came up short/ didn’t measure up. He died. I also thought o...

In the confusion of tensions between Rome and Israel’s leaders, the Pharisees and Scribes were looking for a scapegoat accusing Jesus to be a spy in league with the enemy. Jesus’ reaction is still just amazing to me: (You know like when the garbage is being tossed around, keep moving, don't focus on it!) Jesus simply went on to do His Father’s work: to prepare his disciples for the most extraordinary Mission: the wonders of God Almighty! The Hebrew word used in Genesis 18 is [Pala] to mean wonders or miracles. Sara was laughing in her tent thinking: “how can I give birth at this age” because she was afraid. God told Abraham: Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too difficult for me? In other words: “Do you think those wonders/miracles are too hard for me?” This question from God is in our faces as well this morning. I am sure you all have an urgent prayer request you would submit to God. Is that too difficult to God? Today’s Gospel invites us join Jesus’ extraordinary mission, to show...