1 John 4:7-21

God’s Love and Ours

“God is Love”

If only we could think in those terms, rather than picturing a human form when God enters our minds. I see this Love that is of God as something invisible that constantly floats among us all. It hovers, waiting to be absorbed into our beings. It is always present, but we have to intentionally seek it. This love does not invite itself into us, but is waiting for the invitation to seep into our hearts.

“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.” (1 John 4:15)

“God is Love”

Acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God is more than just words, it is a way of life. Making that claim brings responsibility.  An obligation to live as Jesus advised before his crucifixion, and to follow the example of his life when he walked this earth. Jesus too was Love.

“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

And he has given us this command; “Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:19-21)

 “God is Love”

This gift of love we are offered makes everything alright if we make it who we are by living it each day. Deliberately internalizing this true love will offer peace beyond measure and comfort in the face of despair for God will ever be with you.

“Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16)

“God is Love”

Read/Listen to 1 John 4:7-21

Not Just the Son of God

Today’s reading is John 1:35-51. Jesus is gathering 12 men to be his disciples. Andrew and Simon were the first to be called. Jesus then called Nathanael and Phillip.


Jesus gave Simon the Aramaic name Cephas. The Greek name is Peter, which means “rock”.

Peter was anything but a rock. He babbled at Jesus’ transfiguration. He cut off a soldier’s ear. Perhaps worst of all, he disowned Jesus just prior to his crucifixion.



Jesus Revealed as God at the Transfiguration

It wasn’t until Jesus died that Peter understood what being a disciple meant. It was only then that he began to live up to his name. Peter became solid as a rock.

 

Jesus was known by many names and phrases. He was Son of God, Son of Man, King of Israel, Messiah, Teacher, Beginning and the End, Root of David, Light of the World,  the Lamb of God, Bread of Life, Word become Flesh, Good Shepherd, and many, many more.

 

Let’s look at a few of them.

 

Jesus was a teacher. He taught his disciples many things and also taught the crowds that followed him.

 

Descended from King David, Jesus had a right to be called the Root of David.

 

Many at the time liked the name Son of God, a term not unfamiliar to them, or to mankind. Since early civilization, many kings claimed to be the son of some god. Theoretically, at least, potential rivals would not wage war against the son of a god, lest the god destroy the attacker.

 

As the Lamb of God, many Israelites of the time knew that Jesus would be their sacrificial saviour, their Messiah. Unfortunately, when he was called King of Israel, many thought that Jesus would set up an earthly kingdom and restore Israel to greatness.  Jesus is King of the Jews, but, he did not, nor will he ever, rule an earthly kingdom. As Jesus told the Roman official Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.”

 

Peter had trouble living up to his name. Unlike Peter, Jesus lived up to all of his many names. He was all this and more.

 

Jesus is not just the Son of God; He is God!