Monday, March 10, 2014

Pastor's Ponderings, March 10, 2014

Passionately in Love
On February 25, 2004, Ash Wednesday, Mel Gibson released the box office hit, “The Passion of the Christ” which recounts the last twelve hours of Jesus Christ before He died on the Cross.  The dictionary defines passion as “any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.”  As I think back on this movie, I think about the compelling emotion that Jesus Christ felt when He went to the cross.  In most of the movie versions I have seen, the actor portraying Jesus did not seem particularly happy to go to the cross. Because of what awaited him when he fulfilled his purpose, the Bible says Jesus was filled with joy on the way to the cross (Hebrews 12:2 NLT).
In Psalm 27, King David was passionate about God.  In spite of all of his many accomplishments and of all that he could have asked from God, he only wanted one thing. He wanted the privilege of staying in the house of the Lord, looking at the beauty of God and seeking Him (Psalm 27:4)
What are you passionately in love with today?  Is it your job, your family, your future, your resources or are you passionate in love with God?  Are you delighting in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)? When the scribes asked Jesus about the most important commandment, Jesus said there is no greater commandment than loving God and loving people (Mark 12:29-31).
Please comment below and share how you have been passionately in love with God. Your comments may bless others to follow your example.

Hebrews 12:2
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne
Psalm 27:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Mark 12:29-31
New International Version (NIV)
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”



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