Monday, February 24, 2025

Pastor's Ponderings, February 24, 2025

Love God, Love Others


In April 2013, a 14-year-old boy named Cristian Marian Becheanu did something incredible. In a small town in Romania, a three-year-old boy named Gabriel fell 15 meters (about 50 feet) into a narrow well. For 11 long hours, professional rescuers did everything they could to save him, but nothing seemed to work. The situation felt hopeless.

 

Then Cristian stepped in. With great courage, he allowed himself to be lowered headfirst into the well. A few tense moments later, he emerged—holding Gabriel safely in his arms. The crowd watching burst into relief and joy. A child’s life was saved because one person was willing to take a risk.

 

Cristian’s bravery reminds us of an even greater rescue—the one Jesus made for all of us. He didn’t just risk His life; He gave it. He took on death itself so that we could have life. He went to the Cross, was buried in the grave, and three days later, He rose again, declaring that all power was in His hands (Matthew 28:18). He loves us so much that He sacrificed everything to save us (1 John 3:16).

 

Just as Gabriel’s parents were desperate to see their child saved, God longs for us to be saved, too. But He doesn’t want us to live in fear—He wants us to trust Him. Jesus tells us not to be troubled because He has everything under control (John 14:1). He has a plan for our lives, one filled with hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

 

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another (John 15:13). Cristian risked his life to save a little boy, but Jesus went even further—He gave up His life so that we could live eternally with Him. That kind of love changes everything. Because He first loved us, let’s choose to love Him in return—and love others along the way.

 

Matthew 28:18

King James Version

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

 

1 John 3:16

New International Version

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

 

Hebrews 2:3

New International Version

how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

 

Ephesians 2:6

New International Version

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

 

John 14:1-2

New International Version

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me.
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

 

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

John 15:13

New International Version

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

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