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Thursday of the Fourth Week after the Epiphany
Today’s Reading: Romans 13:8-10
Daily Lectionary: Job 4:1-21; John 2:1-12
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. All you need is love. But whose love do you need? Whose love is going to fulfill the Law? Your love? My love? Not likely. “Love does no wrong to the neighbor.” Which one of us can say that we perfectly love our neighbor? Which one of us can say we’ve always spoken kindly of our neighbor, helped him to defend his possessions, and supported him in every physical need? Not a one of us. Our love stinks. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
And just in case we’re tempted to fight against this declaration of our sin, St. Paul holds up the Ten Commandments. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the loveliest of all? Not you. Not me. We love ourselves too much. If it’s up to us and our love to fulfill the Law, our love isn’t good enough.
However, Jesus’ love is. For God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God loved the world in this manner, that He sent Christ to be crucified for you. Where we are selfish, Christ is selfless. Where we think only of ourselves, Christ thinks, lives, and dies for others. Where we love ourselves, Christ perfectly loves His neighbor. Jesus loves you unto death.
But there’s more. All those Ten Commandments you can’t, won’t, and don’t keep: Jesus kept those for you, too. Why? Because He loves you. Jesus does what you are unable to do. In His perfect life and His perfect sacrifice for sins, Jesus keeps the Law for you and fulfills the Law for you.
And Jesus extends His love from the cross to you. Jesus’ love is there for you in your Baptism, for you in the Absolution, for you in His Word, and for you in His Body and Blood. Jesus’ love is all you need. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Love caused Your incarnation; Love brought You down to me. Your thirst for my salvation Procured my liberty. Oh, love beyond all telling, That led You to embrace In love, all love excelling, Our lost and fallen race. (O Lord, How Shall I Meet You, LSB 334:4)
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By Higher Things®Today’s Reading: Romans 13:8-10
Daily Lectionary: Job 4:1-21; John 2:1-12
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. All you need is love. But whose love do you need? Whose love is going to fulfill the Law? Your love? My love? Not likely. “Love does no wrong to the neighbor.” Which one of us can say that we perfectly love our neighbor? Which one of us can say we’ve always spoken kindly of our neighbor, helped him to defend his possessions, and supported him in every physical need? Not a one of us. Our love stinks. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
And just in case we’re tempted to fight against this declaration of our sin, St. Paul holds up the Ten Commandments. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the loveliest of all? Not you. Not me. We love ourselves too much. If it’s up to us and our love to fulfill the Law, our love isn’t good enough.
However, Jesus’ love is. For God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God loved the world in this manner, that He sent Christ to be crucified for you. Where we are selfish, Christ is selfless. Where we think only of ourselves, Christ thinks, lives, and dies for others. Where we love ourselves, Christ perfectly loves His neighbor. Jesus loves you unto death.
But there’s more. All those Ten Commandments you can’t, won’t, and don’t keep: Jesus kept those for you, too. Why? Because He loves you. Jesus does what you are unable to do. In His perfect life and His perfect sacrifice for sins, Jesus keeps the Law for you and fulfills the Law for you.
And Jesus extends His love from the cross to you. Jesus’ love is there for you in your Baptism, for you in the Absolution, for you in His Word, and for you in His Body and Blood. Jesus’ love is all you need. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Love caused Your incarnation; Love brought You down to me. Your thirst for my salvation Procured my liberty. Oh, love beyond all telling, That led You to embrace In love, all love excelling, Our lost and fallen race. (O Lord, How Shall I Meet You, LSB 334:4)