Love to Soften Hatred

March 25, 2016

Opening Hymns:
298 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh298.sht

Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 10:16-25
10:16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,"

10:17 he also adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."

10:18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

10:19 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus,

10:20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh),

10:21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

10:22 let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

10:23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.

10:24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds,

10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Message:
Good Friday is such a hard day for me to understand. It is even hard reading the scriptures of what happened to Jesus on the day of His death. How could people act so cruel? How could so many people turn against an innocent man, and kill Him? Was it because of the religious leaders? Was it fear? Was it hatred? Doubtless the religious leaders began to turn the crowd against Jesus, but a group of people can take on an energy of its own. A big crowd turning against Jesus may have drawn more people in, or lead more of His followers to flee in fear.

In Hebrews 10:24 we are told to “provoke one another to love and good deeds.” Just as an energy can call others out to act in violence, so can our energies call others to act out in love. The people that we hang around with can rub off on us. I’ve noticed that even books I read can change me, even if only for a little bit. And we can be contagious too!

Of course we already know that sometimes we can catch an attitude or energy that isn’t good. I’ve found that at the place I work. So many of the people complain seemingly all the time. That energy drags me down, and I don’t dread work because of the work, but because of the people at work complaining. Sadly, the night nurse who was giving report caught ME on it. She had mentioned that something didn’t get completed from the PM shift, and I started to grumble. She didn’t feed into my negative energy, instead she said, “you know what, I have 15 minutes, I’ll do it right now.” That was an eye opener to me… she carried with her an energy that helped. Her actions showed me the foolishness of my words, and helped me see a better energy to spread.

Sometimes I spend time with my friends dressing up as various Disney princess, and going around trying to put smiles on the face of children. When I’m with them my energy changes dramatically. There is so much joy and energy that radiates from them that it is contagious. I can’t help but smile when I’m around them. The energy that they spread is with me the rest of the day. It motivates me to create, and to spread joy and love.

Spending time with Jesus can help change our energies too. He showed us a way to love others… even to love people who hate us. He prayed for those who persecuted Him as he was dying. What greater love could there be that He died to cleanse the world from sin, that we all may be forgiven! He has shown us love, forgiveness, and has given us a path to follow.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, no words can thank You enough for every gift that You have given us. Thank You for Your precious gift of love. Thank You for loving even a sinner like me. May I learn and grow from Your teachings so that I can share Your beauty with the world. May your Word soften our hearts, and turn all hatred to love. Amen


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
294 Alas! And did My Savior Bleed http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh294.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God