Christian Reflection and Prayer

(Jesus said) "A new commandment I give to you, that
you love one another: just as I have loved you, you
also are to love one another. By this all people will
know that you are My disciples, if you have love for
one another." John 13:34-35

 

No, I don't love everybody -- and you don't either.
Almost nobody loves everybody
.
Almost.

 

You see, there is an exception to that rule. That
exception is Jesus.

 

Jesus, the sinless Son of God, the Savior of the world,
managed to love everyone. I don't know how, but He
did. Think for a moment of what that meant. He loved
the Pharisees who tried to trick Him, and Herod, the
King, who killed babies in an attempt to eliminate any
competition. Jesus loved the priests who refused to
identify Him as the Savior, and He loved the crowds
who wanted to be healed and fed, but had little use
for salvation. Jesus loved the disciples who slept
when He needed them, and He loved Judas who
betrayed Him with a kiss.
Jesus loved the Roman Procurator who decided to
save his hide rather than dispense justice. Jesus
loved the men who whipped Him, who spit on Him,
who nailed Him to the cross.
And Jesus loved us, which is reason and example
enough for us to try and do the same
.
PRAYER:

 

Dear Lord, I give thanks that Jesus, in spite of my
many sins, has continued to love me. May I follow
His example and do all I can to love everyone --
especially those I consider to be most unlovable.
In the Savior's Name I ask it. Amen.

 

(from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture: read Luke 4: 14-21

 

Reflection:

 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to bring good news to  the poor. He has
sent me to proclaim release to the captives and
recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go
free,to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' And he
rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and
sat down...Then he began to say to them, 'Today this
scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing (v v. 17-21)

 

     It was not an unusual thing for Jesus to stand in to
read the Scriptures; this was something he had done
many times before. However, this day was different. This
was more than a cursory reading of sacred test; today
the Scriptures came alive. Jesus was (and is) the living
word! His life personified that prophetic message, and
his works would make words of Scripture tangible in
the lives of others.
     When we read the Scriptures, that should be the cry
of our hearts.  We should hunger for the word to come
alive in our actions every day.

 

Prayer:

 

Father may your word become tangible and real in my life.
Help me not only to hear and read, but to live and do your
word each day. Amen

 

(Covenant Home Alter, author Shaun Marshall)

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
     For it is not wise to ask such questions. 
Ecclesiastes 7:10

 

When the passion wears off and we get depressed, that’s
precisely when it’s time to press on. God might gift us
with excitement at the start of something new in order to
get us moving, but it’s up to us to carry on when things
get tough.

 

If you are going through a slump or feel that you are
acking the passion you once had, don’t get down. Instead
of acting from passion, lead with wisdom until you reach
your goal and reclaim even more inspiration than before.

 

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein