As I think back to some of my early days in the church and much of my time reading the Old Testament, I really thought that something like “No-No! Bad Dog!” was or should have been my name. I didn’t grow up with the extreme hell fire and brimstone of some friends, but I remember walking down the aisle for my first communion thinking that if I had not adequately confessed all my sins, the communion wafer might burn through my tongue and right down to the floor.

Ridiculous, right? Why would a Lutheran adolescent think like this? My parents actively taught me grace in their words and deeds. But I had read and heard Bible stories about an angry God who would just as soon smite you as look at you sometimes. I attended some overly wrought youth events which alternated between attempting to “scare the Hell” out of me, scold me or shame me. I was reminded more than once, that it was my sin that formed the nails which tore through Jesus to appease God the Father.

Luckily, as I grew, I met Jesus all over again. Instead of being stuck in the Old Testament stories, misconstrued sermons and the condemnation of others, I focused on Jesus – what He said and did. I believed Him when he told me that whoever had seen Him had seen the Father. I realized that He was here to SHOW US the Father. And He showed me that sometimes we get it wrong and some just didn’t get it. God is love.

Now I understand how important it is as Christians for us to let others see God through us – to see God’s love through us. To see Jesus living in us. Now I understand the commandment Jesus gave us and why it is so important. Thank God for Jesus. Thank God for God.  Read John 13:34-35, and remember: God is love and God loves you unconditionally!

Mike

Today’s reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13%3A34-35&version=NRSV