The Oasis - February 12, 2020
Author: Rev. Dan Hollis
February 12, 2020
February 12, 2020
by Pastor Dan
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” –John 13:34-35
Valentine’s Day has got us all thinking about love. As anyone who’s lived more than one year of life on this planet knows, love comes in many shapes and sizes, and enriches our lives in so many unique ways. This week, as we approach Valentine’s Day, I’d like to encourage you to take this time reading the Oasis to meditate a little on love, the ways it impacts your life today, and the way your love can impact others. I say this not to sell greeting cards and chocolate, but because love is a Christian calling. A Christian duty, you might say. Love for yourself, love for God, and love for others. We talk a lot about love in church, and you have heard it said from many that “God is love.” Well I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on what Christ actually said about love during His time on Earth… so here I present some of the highlights. May they serve you well, whatever love looks like to you today.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”–John 15:12-13
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” –Matthew 5:43-48
“One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.” –Mark 12:28-34
Pastor Dan’s Song of the Week: “All You Need is Love,” by The Beatles (because how could I not?)
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