(TREATIES OF LOVE)
“I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you loved me.”
(John 17:23 New International Version ©2011)
Jesus Is Lord.
Lord means master, god. In capital letters, Master and God point to Jesus, the only One to whom we bow our knees, to whom we give our worship.
We profess to have one Lord: One Master and God, yet—
· Family troubles: struggling relationships between father and child, mother and child, husband and wife,
· relational hurts: betrayed friendships, broken commitments with partners, abusive and unfaithful partners
· educational apprehensions: personal non-attainment of educational goals, scholastic debates on educational contents
· financial challenges: losing jobs, making ends meet, all-done deals that don’t materialize in the end
· social complications: meeting the needs of redefined family components (the modern families) while maintaining standards for component roles, supporting the plight of the LGBT community without compromising Biblical positions
· political indifferences: battling apathy with national and communal concerns, setting definitions for the role of the church in nation-building
· it’s a never-ending list…
We all go through the same setbacks in the pillars of our society, whatever we are, whoever we may be. We face the same challenges, problems, difficulties and hurts brought about by family, relationships, school, money, society, politics and so on.
As these never-ending battles in life unite us, it is both our spontaneous and conditioned responses to these battles that seemingly divide us. We are at war with ourselves and we end up seemingly battling it out with others in our desire for unity in the name of conformity… conformity to standards for responses…
But there is one thing that binds us all: Jesus. Whenever minor differences drive us apart, should we not direct our gazes to what should matter most—to Who matters most?
Jesus. His head, hands and feet were pierced by thorns and nails for all of us. His body was scourged for all of us. He thirsted, hungered and… died for every single one of us. Without exemption. Not one more special than the other. Not one less valued than the other.
The totality of Jesus Christ is the consummation of all revelations; He is the mystery and glory that excites us for heaven. All of us.
We all profess Him as our Lord. Well then, if the same Jesus who abides in us abides in all other believers, then what is there that can truly drive us apart? Nothing and no one can. Nothing and no one should.
Jesus IS Lord. Let all the world know that we are all, indeed, His children. That we have all been loved and sent out to minister by the same God.
He in us.
Treaties of love. There is really only one treaty and that treaty contains only one word: JESUS.