
Fourth Sunday
I Corinthians 13:13 -- So these three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.
1 John 4:8b-9a -- …Because God is love .. This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his one and only Son into the world …
Jesus is called Immanuel, God with us.
Think of it. God, as Jesus, is born in a barn. He grows up and performs His ministry for over three years, surrounded by a small group of 12 disciples and a larger group of up to 120 other followers. He serves those followers. He teaches those followers. He has friends. He shows compassion to those friends. He even raises one of them from the dead.
Then He dies. And His friends and followers are scared. And lonely.
But, oh, the joy when He rises from the dead.
Then Jesus tells them He is leaving them and ascending into Heaven. Again, fear and disappointment. And more impending loneliness.
Remember, however, that Jesus is called Immanuel. God is with us. And God is love. And love continues forever.
So, today, we have Jesus available to us to fill us with this same love to become His witnesses so that those in our world will know this wonderful Immanuel.
Lord, thank You for being “God with us”. Thank You for being love. Thank You for filling us with Your love.
I Corinthians 13:13 -- So these three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.
1 John 4:8b-9a -- …Because God is love .. This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his one and only Son into the world …
Jesus is called Immanuel, God with us.
Think of it. God, as Jesus, is born in a barn. He grows up and performs His ministry for over three years, surrounded by a small group of 12 disciples and a larger group of up to 120 other followers. He serves those followers. He teaches those followers. He has friends. He shows compassion to those friends. He even raises one of them from the dead.
Then He dies. And His friends and followers are scared. And lonely.
But, oh, the joy when He rises from the dead.
Then Jesus tells them He is leaving them and ascending into Heaven. Again, fear and disappointment. And more impending loneliness.
Remember, however, that Jesus is called Immanuel. God is with us. And God is love. And love continues forever.
So, today, we have Jesus available to us to fill us with this same love to become His witnesses so that those in our world will know this wonderful Immanuel.
Lord, thank You for being “God with us”. Thank You for being love. Thank You for filling us with Your love.