Dear Rose Park,
It’s a pretty simple message, but we forget it so often. As I left church this past Sunday after worship, I was so glad to be reminded of the simple and yet foundational truth that Jesus loves you.
I walked out of the northwest door of the sanctuary (underneath the car-port for those who can’t pinpoint the spot) and stopped in my tracks. In beautifully bright colored chalk was a picture of a flower and the message “Jesus loves you.” Our Kids Table volunteers had the brilliant idea of taking our little ones outside to draw during worship. I’m sure you all saw it walking to your cars, and I think I can safely say on your behalf, “thank you!” It was such a simple and yet beautiful reminder of God’s love for each and every one of us.
I wonder though if we forget that message. Maybe it’s because we’ve downplayed or devalued the reality that the Creator of the universe actually desires to be in a relationship with you. Maybe it’s because we’ve prioritized the love of someone else higher than the love of God. Maybe it’s because we simply don’t understand how God can love us despite our tremendous sin and painful brokenness. Or maybe it’s some other challenge or difficulty that keeps us from embracing the love we have in Christ Jesus.
The Apostle Paul writes these beautiful words to the church in Rome, but I am quite certain they are meant for our ears as well: “38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Nothing. Nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Whatever you’re thinking of right now, no matter what it is, that too can’t separate you from the love of God. Of course, this doesn’t mean we justify our sin and treat Jesus like some sort of cosmic ‘get out of jail free’ card. Rather it should reframe our thoughts, words, and actions towards responding to God with a lifetime of gratitude because of His tremendous love graciously and freely offered to each and every one of us.
So, whether you hear it from a letter, a sermon, a card, a phone call, or from a chalk-picture in our parking lot, may you hear it again with fresh ears…Jesus loves you.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark