Jesus loves you

Maybe you've heard of the trite saying that one partner might say during a break-up: "It's not you. It's me." Maybe that person knows he or she will only break their partner's heart and the relationship will never work. But the saying might also be a kind of gaslighting to avoid drama or prevent the other person from thinking that things can be worked out.

Despite all the negative affects of human nature over history, God has never broken up with us. In fact, even though we provide God with very good reasons for breaking up with us every day, God doesn't and the reason is us. God says: "I'm not breaking up with you and the reason is not me. It's you. You are worth loving."

We know of God's love through the life and death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. He is the revelation as well as the proof of God's love. Somehow, despite everything, God believes we are worth loving. So I wonder. If God believes we are worth God's love, aren't we worth each other's love?

Our lectionary scriptures this week are: Psalm 86:11-17; Isaiah 44:6-8; Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43; Romans 8:12-25.

Allen Cross