Suppose

SUPPOSE Prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW, Victoria, BC, Canada

Suppose you saw a homeless man reach out his hand and raise a dead person to life and speak to a violent storm and command it to be calm, and you saw it happen. What would you think?

You heard the same man teach people to love their enemies and to care for the poor. You saw him feed 5,000 hungry people starting with just five loaves and two fishes with 12 baskets of food left over after the meal. After that, you saw the man killed by his enemies, and then you saw him alive again a few days later? What would you think?

His first followers said he is the creator of the universe, that his death was an act of love to take away the sins of all who come to him, and that he promised never-ending life to all who follow.

The last time they saw him, he was taken up into the sky, and they reported that angels appeared and said he would return the same way he left.

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The Love of

God: A Meditation prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW, Victoria, BC And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. – 1 John 4:16

When judged, we tend to judge in return. How can we transform our judgment and condemnation of others into caring and compassion for them? What does the cross teach us?

At the heart of our faith is the cross, and at the heart of the cross is the love of God who suffered for our offenses. The cross teaches us to love and care for those who offend us. This kind of love is so against our emotional custom that sometimes we can’t see it. We can’t grasp it. The next time you are offended, remember this Lord’s Supper and remember these words: John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son...

Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:8-10 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son 2 Thessalonians 3:5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Ephesians 5:1-2 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:19-21 We love because he first loved us.... Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

The prophet Isaiah said of Christ, “By oppression and judgment he was taken away.” Yet when Jesus was suffering mockery and condemnation on the cross, he said, “Father forgive them.....” And Peter observed of Christ that “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.”

Jesus said, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift”.....then come and take the Lord’s Supper, then come and worship the God of love.

“By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you.....”

Because I am concerned and care about you I want to talk to you about something that may be getting in the way of our relationship, and so I wondered if we could sit down together and talk and pray about it if you feel OK to do that. I have offended and hurt you, and for that I beg your forgiveness even though I don’t deserve it, and I pledge here and now to treat you with respect, to be sensitive to your feelings, and to honour your opinions and your boundaries.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Let’s pray: For the Bread God, give us grace and mercy to forgive as we have been forgiven, to love as we have been loved. (Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions Ps.51:1.) Thank you for this bread that reminds us of the suffering love of Jesus who loved us and gave himself for us and offered forgiveness even while we were offending him. Teach us your love, your compassion, your gentleness, your caring and concern even for those who offend us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For the Cup Lord, thank you for this cup that reminds us of the blood of Christ that forgives our sins. Give us courage to forgive and love one another as you have forgiven and loved us. In the name of the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amen.

For the Offering Lord bless our gifts to be used for your purpose and bless the giver who first gives herself and himself to your service. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

The God of love is reaching out to you right now

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