Monday, September 14, 2015

God So Loved


Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:11-17 

Yesterday, on the stormy drive home from visiting our daughter Ariel, we were stuck in very slow traffic approaching the Tappan Zee bridge. There's not a lot to do on a Sunday afternoon in the rain, stuck in traffic except for gritch and complain about it all. Over the road, a rainbow appeared, and despite the long rolling back up, despite the lane changers and the honkers, a most beautiful, complete, shimmering rainbow held court. We were mesmerized, captured by such rare and stunning beauty. God's sign to Noah became a sign to us also, that we would find our way home.

This passage from John, so familiar and so famous, reminds us of God's love for us and the whole world. Not for the chosen people alone, not for the wealthy or the gifted - God so loves the world. All of us, whether indigenous, immigrant, migrant or refugee. The whole world in it's infinite variety of shades and colors, unending cultures and expressions - it is this whole world God loves. Today more than ever we need to hear the message and share it.

Today, as I pack for Montana and set my eyes to the next things before me, I give thanks for God's abiding love for us. May we all be grateful for God's love and watch care for each and every one of us. For God so loved the world.

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