16  We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17 How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
I John 3:16-17

If John 3:16 is, as Luther said, “the heart of the Bible, the Gospel in miniature,” then, I John 3:16 must surely be its complement. Here are some implications of Jesus laying down his life for us: “we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” Here, in God’s wondrous logic, he makes our debts to him payable to others. Jesus’ love for us becomes not just something we are to appreciate and revel in but a love we are now to pass on.

Our world is easily befuddled and misled about what love really is. We bandy about the word love in every way from loving pizza to loving God. But how do we know what love really is, except by looking to the cross! The cross reveals the very essence of love and the depth of God’s love for us. Christ laid down his life for us.

While we might never be called upon to save someone’s life by giving ours there are yet countless ways in which we can give of self to sustain others both physically and spiritually. While these kinds of giving might seem less heroic they are demanding of us nevertheless.

During the season of Lent we often think of going without, or giving up. What might we give up in way of time, money, possessions, agenda, so that others might live both physically and spiritually?

It has been observed that we can give without loving, but we cannot love
without giving. How then “does God’s love abide in anyone who has the
world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refused to help?”

Who is the brother or sister that you see in need today?

MEDITATION

Soaking in Scripture…

Today’s Andy Moments…