7 January 2016 - not burdensome?

[ Today's Readings ]

And his commandments are not burdensome

But they often seem that way to us, don't they? To really keep his commandments seems tough. We think that if we can keep them at all it is only through a lot of effort and grit teeth. Or perhaps they are just too hard and there is no point at all. We can all think of people who are difficult to love. We spend a lot of time wishing that people wouldn't do this or that, thinking of the problems that they cause for us or others, rather than willing their good.

If anyone says, “I love God,”
but hates his brother, he is a liar;

But the people themselves sometimes go to lengths to be burdensome. How can loving them not be?

And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. 
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.

Victory is possible. It is possible for those who are begotten by God. They can have peace, even amidst the tribulations of the world, because Jesus has overcome the world (cf. John 16:33). We are able to love in a way that is not burdensome only because Jesus already has the victory which he shares with us.

Beloved, we love God because
he first loved us. 

Without his love the poor do not hear glad tidings, the captives do not hear liberty proclaimed, the blind do not see, and the oppressed do not go free. Nothing the world does is ever sufficient to God's standards. The year acceptable to the LORD does not come.

But he does love us first. Even while we are yet sinners (cf. Romans 5:8) he pours out his love on us. He pours the Holy Spirit into our hearts making us cry 'Abba, Father!' (cf. Galatians 4:6). This happens at baptism, but we tap into it whenever we welcome the Holy Spirit. We embrace more and more being begotten by God. And as his sons and daughters we share in his victory. This is why the Holy Spirit is called our inheritance (cf. Ephesians 1:14).

Jesus brings us his victory today.

"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."
And all spoke highly of him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

Today? Aren't the relevant historical events in the future of when he speaks and in our past? In one sense, but the proclamation of the Scriptures in the power of the Spirit make them present to us. The victory of Jesus is made present to us through his word. Let us look to him intently.

May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.