From Pastor Jess:
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
I could jump for joy. No, it’s not because of the Knicks, although they are very exciting to watch and I hope they win the championship. I didn’t win the lottery, because I don’t play. I’m still up through the wee hours most nights, fretting about the world my son Theo is entering after he graduates from high school on June 21st. I don’t think anyone is coming to save us from what we have done to ourselves, each other, and the planet, I believe we will have to do that hard work. But, these verses from Romans are like balm and medicine to me- always have been. They are an infusion of joy and hope and I thank the Holy Spirit and the lectionary committee that we have them in our readings for this Sunday.
The message speaks right into my fearful heart- God’s love is so much more abundant and merciful and gracious than we can possibly imagine or approximate. Yes, we are capable of great sacrifice, but more often than not, our sacrifices are “for a great cause,” meaning that we have found something worthy of our sacrifice, something or someone that deserves it. But Jesus loves us before we are deserving and despite our undeserving. There is no measurement of our worth, because what matters to God is that God loves us. In the light of Jesus’s presence, “deserving” is not even a category.
When we are not strong, when we are struggling or suffering, when we are unsure of ourselves or afraid, and when, not if but when, we make big mistakes, God’s love in Jesus sets us free to keep on keeping on.
I’ve never heard such good news, and every time I hear it again, no matter what is going on, hope arises.
My Office Days for the week of June 15th are: Tuesday & Thursday.
Rev. Jess Lambert