14 July 2013 - simplify

14 July 2013 - simplify

“For this command that I enjoin on you today
is not too mysterious and remote for you.

We sometimes tend to overcomplicate things.  To love as God loves is not easy but it is straightforward.  We would prefer that there be some loopholes to lower than standard.  We wish to regard only a select few as neighbors deserving of our love.

“And who is my neighbor?” 

But Jesus comes to put all such divisions to rest.  He comes to open us to love in its fullness.  There are so many divisions that we accept.  They are ways to limit our call to love to a level that is "manageable."  But we are called to be like our Father who makes rain fall on the just and the unjust (cf. Mat 5:45).  We are called to be like Jesus who dies for us even while we are sinners and enemies of God (cf. Rom 5:8).  The divisions are entrenched with in us.  The only way to truly overcome them is in the one that can hold all of the disparate pieces together in himself.

making peace by the blood of his cross

The law of the LORD isn't overly complicated.  But we are complicated in our attachment to sin and division.  We don't want to cross the road to the robber's victim.  We have so much to do already, right? That is why such a drastic solution is necessary.  Let us turn from the excuses that keep us from love toward the salvation Jesus offers.

the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.

In his words we find a life we will never know otherwise.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.