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  1. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-1.

For the weeks of Lent, we have reviewed the transformation of ordinary people into disciples of Christ. Each was changed by the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We are all called to discipleship in a deeply troubled world and know God’s plan will prevail; His grace is available for all who believe in and follow Jesus. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.1

I enjoy the powerful phrase “God’s unstoppable love”, coined by Sarah McGiverin.2 You may recognize Sarah as a frequent contributor to the Cokesbury Adult Bible Studies series and  wellpublished Christian author. Her phrase illustrates the great positive power and influence of our Father and His boundless offering of love, forgiveness, and salvation available to everyone. As we approach Sunday, we reflect on the Easter message as a reminder of the great gifts of an unstoppable and loving God.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely, therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. Romans 5:6-9.

As mature Christians we have all been tested. It is through those trials that we understand the importance of our faith and the value of the Holy Spirit. We learn and change our lives in response to the love of Christ. We have not touched the wounds of the Risen Christ but we know Him. We have not seen the Holy Spirit but feel the presence. We have not seen God but experience His gifts. We encounter a world beset with hate, greed, and evil but rejoice in the love, grace, and hope brought to us by Jesus.

The promise of Easter is not about fearing the ills and sins of the world but in celebrating the inheritance as Children of God. We delight in the faith-inspired victories advanced by Christians in our community and around the world. We seek to advance the ministry of Christ with all of us employing our special talents in small groups or with large congregations. The battle of conversion is waged one person at a time through our words, deeds, and service. Our lives represent fragile jars of clay carrying living water to the world around us.

Easter is that great God planned event that opened the gates of heaven, established Jesus as our guide to the Father, brought us the Holy Spirit, and confirmed that each of us is a chosen child of a loving God. So now we celebrate the “unstoppable love” of our God and refocus our lives to serve as disciples in the ministry of Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, we prepare our hearts for Easter and celebrate God’s unstoppable love. We give thanks for the many blessings bestowed on us and our families, and commit our lives in serving  loving God who opens the gates of heaven to all who believe in the Risen Lord. We make this prayer in the name and the spirit of Jesus. Amen.

 

1 John 1:3-5.
2 Adult Bible Studies Spring 2017 Student Edition by Sarah McGiverin, 2016, Cokesbury Publishing.

The Wesleyan Bridge is written by K.B. Kelly with the Reverend Valerie Mireb and Pastor Hank Brooks as Theological Editors with Debbie Kelly as Text and Content Editor.