Good morning: No doubt you thanked the Lord for keeping you safe last night and for granting you another day of grace to use in living for him. We thank Him for being our Redeemer who paid the ransom price of his blood shed on the cross to win our eternal salvation. We praise him for bringing family members and friends into his kingdom by faith. But how far does the Lord’s saving reach extend? Many Jews at Jesus’ time were certain that the Messiah was only for them. Gentiles, tax collectors, and “sinners” would be excluded from the kingdom. Do you ever find yourself thinking that way, that certain people are not “kingdom material” because of who they are or what they’ve done? Thinking that way, we’re not likely to make an effort to reflect Jesus’ love to them by our words and actions. We would simply write them off as a lost cause. That would be a mistake. Jesus never wrote anyone off. He welcomed not only upstanding pillars of the community, but those whom no one else wanted to be seen with. He says, “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (Jn. 6:37). Even though there is nothing good in us by nature, Jesus didn’t turn us away. He received us with open arms, unconditional forgiveness, and the promise of everlasting life. Loved by the Lord, how can we not then follow his lead in bringing the saving gospel to everyone in our lives, not just to those who are “nice,” but to those who make it hard for us to be loving toward them. “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all...And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Cor. 5:14-15). Jesus is for all! Look around. With whom can you share his love and promises today? Yours in Christ, Pastor Our service tomorrow is at 9 a.m. A brief Communion service will be held afterwards for those who would like to receive the Sacrament.
