John 14:15-21
We ask people, “Are you ‘into’ rock music? Are you ‘into’ modern art? Are you ‘into’ the latest movies?” Being ‘into’ something implies more than familiarity, speaks more about a preferential option.
“Buzz words” change constantly. However, being “into” something has withstood the test of time. Even the youth can understand, which is rare. Jesus spoke in similar words in reference to His relationship with us and our relationship with Him. He said that He wants to be “into us” just like He is “into” the Father and the Father is “into” Him. Obviously, the Lord is describing a love relationship, which He warns, most people will not understand. Jesus used poetic language. Like a poem, there are many levels of meaning. Trying to understand analytically is useless. “My love is like a red, red rose.” How can love be like a rose? Can a rose love? We are challenged to go beyond the surface meaning of the words, especially in poetry, just like in Scripture. The implications of the words of Jesus reach far beyond the literal meaning. But we can assume that the Lord is speaking about intimacy. The Gospel is like a love letter. Difficult to believe since we find some folks attractive while others, we find repulsive. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus finds us all attractive. We are the greatest obstacle to the love of God. Like trying to undo the past. That’s never going to happen. Refusing to forgive those who have hurt us. Refusing to forgive ourselves. Negativity only gives rise to more negativity. We become so full of resentments that we leave no room for God’s love.
To believe in our own goodness is the first step in allowing the love of God to dwell in us. God’s love is a gift which we have done nothing to merit. Sort of like getting an inheritance frotam a relative that we didn’t know existed. All of a sudden, we feel that we belong. That’s why Jesus said, “I will not leave you orphans.” By making such a statement, He implies that is what we are. An orphan has no parents, no home, no rights. An orphan is freely chosen. Jesus makes the first move. He chooses us. Once chosen, we belong to a family. We know how things work at an orphanage. Interested parents look around for a child that will meet their criteria: certain age, nationality, background (if known). Interested parents don’t just choose anybody. Imagine an orphanage where everyone qualifies—everybody is eligible. The only requirement is a willingness to be loved.
We might think, “Well, that’s easy.” Who doesn’t want to be loved? Who doesn’t want to belong? Folks who have a long list of regrets will not allow themselves to be loved. The level of pride is so high that there is no room for love. They wake up grouchy, are grouchy all day and go to sleep grouchy—the recipe for illness, isolation and an early death. We all have the capacity to be loved but some have shut everyone out. Jesus keeps knocking, but we have the freedom to open or keep the door closed. The experts at breaking down the walls are mothers. God uses mothers to remind us of His unconditional love. That’s where the expression comes from, “A face only a mother can love.” Mamas can read minds, tell the future and help pick up the pieces when everything comes crashing down. When everyone runs away because they think that we are contagious, a mother will stay by our bed until we are well. The one indelible mark of a mother is love. We remember them today—at least one day a year—because they give and give and then give some more. Today we say, “Thank you.” A small way that we can show our appreciation for the outpouring of great love. Just keep in mind that mothers are just as vulnerable as everyone else. Although are willing to give, they need to receive.
Our prayer is that the Lord will bless our mothers, those present, or far away or gone before us in death. We thank the Author of all life, who in His great wisdom came up with the idea of inventing a mother. Happy Mother’s Day.
We ask people, “Are you ‘into’ rock music? Are you ‘into’ modern art? Are you ‘into’ the latest movies?” Being ‘into’ something implies more than familiarity, speaks more about a preferential option.
“Buzz words” change constantly. However, being “into” something has withstood the test of time. Even the youth can understand, which is rare. Jesus spoke in similar words in reference to His relationship with us and our relationship with Him. He said that He wants to be “into us” just like He is “into” the Father and the Father is “into” Him. Obviously, the Lord is describing a love relationship, which He warns, most people will not understand. Jesus used poetic language. Like a poem, there are many levels of meaning. Trying to understand analytically is useless. “My love is like a red, red rose.” How can love be like a rose? Can a rose love? We are challenged to go beyond the surface meaning of the words, especially in poetry, just like in Scripture. The implications of the words of Jesus reach far beyond the literal meaning. But we can assume that the Lord is speaking about intimacy. The Gospel is like a love letter. Difficult to believe since we find some folks attractive while others, we find repulsive. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus finds us all attractive. We are the greatest obstacle to the love of God. Like trying to undo the past. That’s never going to happen. Refusing to forgive those who have hurt us. Refusing to forgive ourselves. Negativity only gives rise to more negativity. We become so full of resentments that we leave no room for God’s love.
To believe in our own goodness is the first step in allowing the love of God to dwell in us. God’s love is a gift which we have done nothing to merit. Sort of like getting an inheritance frotam a relative that we didn’t know existed. All of a sudden, we feel that we belong. That’s why Jesus said, “I will not leave you orphans.” By making such a statement, He implies that is what we are. An orphan has no parents, no home, no rights. An orphan is freely chosen. Jesus makes the first move. He chooses us. Once chosen, we belong to a family. We know how things work at an orphanage. Interested parents look around for a child that will meet their criteria: certain age, nationality, background (if known). Interested parents don’t just choose anybody. Imagine an orphanage where everyone qualifies—everybody is eligible. The only requirement is a willingness to be loved.
We might think, “Well, that’s easy.” Who doesn’t want to be loved? Who doesn’t want to belong? Folks who have a long list of regrets will not allow themselves to be loved. The level of pride is so high that there is no room for love. They wake up grouchy, are grouchy all day and go to sleep grouchy—the recipe for illness, isolation and an early death. We all have the capacity to be loved but some have shut everyone out. Jesus keeps knocking, but we have the freedom to open or keep the door closed. The experts at breaking down the walls are mothers. God uses mothers to remind us of His unconditional love. That’s where the expression comes from, “A face only a mother can love.” Mamas can read minds, tell the future and help pick up the pieces when everything comes crashing down. When everyone runs away because they think that we are contagious, a mother will stay by our bed until we are well. The one indelible mark of a mother is love. We remember them today—at least one day a year—because they give and give and then give some more. Today we say, “Thank you.” A small way that we can show our appreciation for the outpouring of great love. Just keep in mind that mothers are just as vulnerable as everyone else. Although are willing to give, they need to receive.
Our prayer is that the Lord will bless our mothers, those present, or far away or gone before us in death. We thank the Author of all life, who in His great wisdom came up with the idea of inventing a mother. Happy Mother’s Day.
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