Dear Family and Friends

Although we had a wonderful experience in the Holy Land, I have to admit – there’s no place like home. Oh the joy of sleeping in our own bed and sitting on our own toilet…

But then the inevitable happened. I woke up from my utopian dream after spending a whole hour driving into town. And the way folks were changing lanes was a nightmare.

Doesn’t it feel good when others wave thanks when you slow down to let them in? Likewise, do you feel a twinge when ‘entitled ingrates’ don’t bother to wave?

But I noticed something about myself this past week. Those ‘I don’t wave’ folks don’t bother me anymore.

Since I’m on a roll, let me say that the homeless scattered across our city also don’t bother me anymore.

Why are fewer people bothering me?

It may be because people’s behaviors have declined to such a low, I’ve come to expect less from them. Sad but true.

Am I alone? Do you have those little twinges too? I suspect we all struggle with loving all our neighbors the way Jesus loves us, sacrificially and unconditionally.

Near the entrance to the ancient ruins of Capernaum is a bronze statue called Homeless Jesus. It depicts Jesus as homeless, sleeping on a park bench.

This statue, which can be found in many cities around the world, serves as a stark reminder of the last parable of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”  ‭Matthew‬ ‭25:34-40‬ NIV

Beneath the primary focus of this passage – salvation – lies a lesson we can all benefit from: How to live a life of faith.

A life of faith is one filled with love for others.

Let me remind us that salvation comes by faith and the grace of God, and not by our works, regardless of how good they may be.

In other words, what matters is not what we do but who we become.

The good works Jesus talks of above begins with a faithful relationship with Him.

A faithful relationship evidenced by our love for others.

Love for others expressed, not just through feelings invisible to others. But through visible acts for those we love.

Acts like mercy and kindness towards the outcasts of society; acts that come naturally as expressions of our love.

In love always,