For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Life is all about relationships built on love, trust and forgiveness. Some relationships are casual and last only for a time, while other relationships last for a lifetime and are built on the “Love that bears all things.”
The Bible tells us the story of God’s love relationship with us. When God placed the man and woman in the garden at creation he established a relationship with them and instructed them to care for his creation. He placed the tree in the middle of the garden to remind them of that creator-creation relationship. Their disobedience destroyed that relationship and, as a result, they hid for fear of their Father’s anger. While they were banned from the garden, they were still loved by the Father. He clothed them with animal skins, reassuring them of his continued love for them. The broken relationship is restored.
The scene is similar to the young child who disobeys mom or dad and hides out of fear of being caught or punished. It is the same fear that causes us to try and cover up or deny our mistakes for fear of getting caught and a relationship broken.
Easter is a reminder for us that our Heavenly Father throws his loving arms around us in a relationship of love and forgiveness. For there is nothing that can “separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.”
Larry Stoterau, President
Pacific Southwest District LCMS