Upper Loft Meditation - Mark 12

“Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as yourself.’” (MSG) Mark 12:29-31

Picture this situation, you are a religious scholar back during the time of Jesus. You have studied theology and can explain its intricate details. You are weary with how most scholars argue over minor issues. And now you’ve come to Jesus to ask him to give you the big picture.

Jesus responded to that religious scholar and to all people by combining parts of the often-repeated Shema Israel (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) and the last part of the much less quoted command: “Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.” (Leviticus 19:18).

In today’s world, we are faced with many difficult decisions. Consider an issue you’ve been puzzling over, a decision you need to make, or an approach you need to take with a difficult person. It is helpful to consider the simple but majestic big picture response that Jesus provides. We feed ourselves, we clothe ourselves, we give ourselves a place to live - that’s love.  God’s big picture is to get us to show that love to others.

Picture Jesus saying this to you, “Love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy… Love others as well as you love yourself.”  Don’t take this as a scolding or punishment, but as the best and wisest thing any person could do.

Upper Loft Meditation - Romans 5

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” - Romans 5:1-5

It is sealed, closed, and completed.  “We have been justified by faith”.  We, therefore, “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1)  Then Paul says (5) this hope that we have will not put us to shame.  This is a strong word here.  We wouldn’t be embarrassed.  Why?  Because, we know and continue to experience the love of God in our mind and in our heart.  The love of God in our heart is a confirmation of the hope we hold.

The experience and knowledge of God’s love is facilitated in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  God wants His people to be confident about the certainty of our hope.

Notice that Paul does not say “God has given us his love.”  He uses the word “poured out”.  It conveys the idea of a gushing overflow that cannot be contained.  This is not dependent on your love for God.  It is God’s initiative and gift of love for you.  “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

Have you ever stood under a waterfall?  The water keeps coming and coming.  “May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)