“ A Love Legacy ”

 

Dear Love People, 

 

John’s gospel reminds us about Jesus’ purpose:

“ Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father.  Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ”  John 13:1

Jesus’ love …is his legacy. 

We know that the Easter story is the story of God’s love—the extent to which God loves us—in that God raises Jesus, and we believe God raises us.  …That’s at least part of it!  The other part is Jesus’ love, and his loving us through to the end. 

When we love …we emulate Jesus.  Jesus, both loved us and was God’s love.  When we love, we become what Jesus was and we are also God’s love. 

Easter …is about resurrecting Love. 

The Apostle Paul, writing in response to reports of bickering and infighting among believers in Corinth said that if one doesn’t have love, one is a noisy gong and a clanging cymbal, that if one doesn’t have love, one has nothing.  …Easter has to do with Love. 

I think Love is sometimes one of the things or ideas that gets lost as we often focus mostly on “believing in Jesus.  We want so badly to be delivered to salvation and heaven we try and make it transactional.  “Yes Lord, I believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).  If “believing” can punch our ticket, then, “we believe!”  So, while we busy ourselves in believing, the things that Jesus did in loving people, gets moved to the back burner.  Easter …is about resurrecting Love. 

Jesus, knowing the Love of God …changes the world by loving it! 

Jesus doesn’t change the world; the Love of God …changes the world.  Jesus allowed God’s Love to flow through him.  When we Love …it happens, too.  This isn’t about semantics; its actionable.  When we choose Love it activates and transforms—us …and others. 

As Paul testifies, “Love never ends.”  We don’t get “finished,” it’s not “completed,” Love and life never end.  It’s not a thought in our head, or a trust, or a knowing …it’s a doing thing—Love.  Love is doing something. 

In our world of “might makes right,” Love is out of place, out of step, out of practice.  Love …lifts up.  Love …doesn’t insist on its own way, isn’t arrogant or rude …Love is patient and kind. 

I believe our world can use this …Love.  Jesus-people can provide it.  I believe others can, too; but for Jesus-people, it’s clear, isn’t it?  It’s supposed to be written in our DNA. 

Love People: Easter should be an empty tomb filled with Love …in each of us!  …And our job is giving it away!  Unlike possessions or wealth, we will never run out of it!  Love never ends and Love won’t fail.  With the love of God already in us …neither do we. 

Love is Jesus’ legacy.  It must also be ours.