[As appeared in The Pioneer newspaper – March 2022]
“Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong… Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”
[“Jesus Loves Me.” (stanza 1) The United Methodist Hymnal #191. Text: A. B. Warner. Music: William B. Bradbury. © 1989 United Methodist Publishing House.]
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 (NKJV)
The Easter season is the time of year when Christians throughout the world try to understand and accept fully the love of God and his son, Jesus. We cannot seem to comprehend the depth of love that would cause someone to die for our sins, to die in our place, to be the sacrifice needed to make right our relationship with God. The type of love that would make Jesus willingly die on a cross a horrible death. The type of love offered to us by Jesus that is unconditional, unearned and unending. That is the AMAZING NEWS! God loves us! No matter what we have said, thought, or done. In fact, there is nothing we can do that will ever make God love us less!
So, this Easter, allow yourself to reach out to God, to accept the transforming love and grace of Jesus, and begin a “new life.”
If you have a church home, that is awesome! I bet they will be thrilled to have you join them in worship! If you do not have a church home, or have not attended church in a while, attend somewhere this Easter. There are some wonderful churches and pastors here in the area who would love to share God’s love with you!
God loves you, and so do I!
Pastor Chuck Kurfman,
Highland Hope United Methodist Church