If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:2
The Lenten season is a time set aside for reflection and the preparation of our hearts and minds to more fully comprehend God’s amazing grace and love for us in giving us his only Son, Jesus Christ. This gift, a gift of love, is for all humanity that God may claim his children forever.
Though God has lovingly given us life, we know that we are made of dust and that, because of our sin, we will one day return to dust.
So we marvel that the eternal God would willingly take on our dust. We ponder his daring, painstaking, sacrificial journey to die on the cross for us. Why, why would the Lord of the universe give his Son to die? Why would the Son choose to die on the cross for us, poor miserable sinners, sinners made from dust by God? It’s simple: for God so loved the world (John 3:16). In grace, God cared to love; in obedience, Jesus dared to love!
In today’s bitter and tragic world, God’s gift of love can be quickly lost. Our hearts are easily owned by things of the world. Hearts are overwhelmed, hardened, afraid, and left without grace, compassion, care, concern, or even empathy for others. Paul reminds the Corinthian reader (1 Corinthians13:2), and reminds us, that other gifts are rendered void without love; without love, we are nothing. Gaining knowledge, knowing mysteries (of Jesus), and even faith are revealed and available through the working of the Holy Spirit, and in God’s Word. Paul causes us to remember the importance of God’s love in our own lives. What are we, and these other gifts without love? Nothing! What is our response? To love others, and tell of God’s great love for us.
Lord, you bless us richly with gifts daily; none more important than your great love for us, demonstrated in the gift of Christ! Cause our hearts to stir this Lenten season and be filled with love, remembering that if we do not know and share Your love, we really are nothing. Thank you for breathing into dust to make us alive, and thank you for Jesus’ death, which promises your love for an eternity. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen!
Jeffrey Beavers '89
Executive Director / Founding Principal – Crean Lutheran High School
CUI Board of Regents
CUI Parent