ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
June 2, 2021
Scripture: Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced 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.
Thought for the Day: This past Sunday, I preached on an earlier section of chapter 8, yet I did point to these closing words for just a moment. Amidst all the challenges and frustrations Paul felt with some of the communities to which he wrote, there was still a strong belief about the love of God in Jesus. Nothing, nothing at all, could separate us from this love. As we return to our discussion about knowing Jesus, I wish to point you to these words. Paul appears to be suggesting how Jesus is God’s revelation of this limitless love. When people would seek clarification about the far-reaching character of God’s love, and they would ask, “You don’t mean those people?” Jesus would respond, “There is nothing that can separate any of us.” “Well what about those who…” And no matter what the perceived issue might be, Jesus would reject their premise and remain resolute in his conviction that nothing could separate us from the love of God. Though Paul had a slightly different approach than the Gospels when it came to explaining who Jesus was, this passage reminds us of how the radical and even reckless love of God was best seen in the life of Jesus. Some folks have tried to limit Jesus, suggesting how he couldn’t have loved “those” people. But once again, Paul attempts to communicate his point by asking, “What part of nothing did you not understand?” Actually, that’s Bruce’s perception of what Paul had to say many times.
Prayer: Let me bask in the best negative word I’ve ever heard. Loving God, let me enjoy the nothing rule Jesus embodied – how nothing can separate us from this love. Amen.
