Here Is Eternal Love

Sometimes Jesus drew a line in the sand. The world has always needed to know where He stands. He has always expected us to take a stand. In John, Chapter 6, Jesus basically challenged those following Him to recognize that in Him God was giving them an all or nothing proposition. There would be no half-way measures. Jesus would be their bread and wine, His flesh and blood their very lives, their guarantee of eternal life. Jesus was no run-of-the-mill pleasant peasant, an entertaining teacher and a remarkable healer. He was so much more. He was the very Son of God on earth. He was God’s Messiah, His anointed. God’s offer in Him was non-negotiable. We either accept Him or turn away and leave Him and return to the world. Most of those who had been following Him left Him that day. Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Peter replied, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69) And even among them, Jesus knew there was one devil, one who would betray Him. In God’s timing Jesus had demanded a radical choice for Him and Heaven, and an absolute commitment. Time has not lessened the importance of this decision we each make in choosing to follow Jesus. Jesus also said, “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:38) Jesus says to each of us, “ Step over this line and follow me, or you are not mine.” Jesus is the treasure in the field. We must choose. Do we go and sell all we have and buy that field? Or do we give Him up and choose the world instead. Trust Him. No one has ever chosen Him and been disappointed.

Here Is Eternal Love

Here is eternal love which makes the difference
when all around us all seems lost and everything and
everyone is slipping away deserting us, leaving us
wondering what has happened and how all things
have become so disconcerting and disappointing
all at once when it seemed just yesterday the whole
world cheered and everyone around us seemed amazed
and almost delirious in their pleasure and
in their happiness until our Lord and Master spoke
His Words of startling, overwhelming Truth which
demanded from His own the choice between
the Way of Heaven and the ways of earth;
and first their eyes and then their smiles darkened
as the many realized they must leave behind
their selfishness and their pride and their
self-determination to supposedly get the things the deceiver promised to deliver into their grasping hands;
and they resolutely turned around and walked away from Jesus,
not one of them even pausing for a moment, never looking back; and we few were left looking around astounded
by our sudden loneliness—until in His perfect, precious, penetrating love He demanded, would we leave
or would we remain and stand with Him? He did not change
for all the pain their desertion brought to Him; He remained powerful, perfect, permanent love speaking God’s
eternal Word and invitation; and so Peter, blessed, blustering Peter spoke our hearts as we agreed, indeed, for His Love
we would most certainly stay and stand with Him.

M.S.
May 6, 2021

”And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD,
choose this day whom you will serve,
whether the gods your fathers served in the
region beyond the river,
or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.
But as for me and my house,
we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua 24:15