 |
|
|
|
A Condensed Love
Monday of Lent 1
|
|
 |
The cross is a condensation of God's love toward us. It is not a condensation in the way Readers' Digest condensed books of great literature to half as many words, as though great literature could be accused of using too many words as Mozart was accused of using "too many notes." No, condensation of God's love in the cross should not be a diminishment of the content of the cross. This "condensation" can become a diminishment of the cross where the cross becomes a cipher for a sappy or purely emotionalistic definition of love. God's love is not a fleeting or watery emotion, it is not a passion for us that might wane if he comes to disregard us or despise us on account of our sins. God's love is Himself and is certain as His existence. He could not choose not to love (sometimes double negatives do work!), because to do so would be to cease to be God (1Jn 4:8, 16). He loves us never less intensely by offering the life of Christ unto the cross, always more.
The cross is a condensation of the love of God toward us in the same way condensed milk is an intensification of milk, the water is taken out of it, and sugar added. It is a thick and creamy reduction of milk. The only thing it is lacking is water. The cross is that kind of condensation of the love of God for us. It clarifies and intensifies our understanding of the love of God. It is one thing to hear that God loved the world. It is another entirely to hear that God has offered His Son into the death of the cross for the express purpose of saving those whom He has loved. There is nothing watery about this love that leads the Son of God to have his blood congeal in condensed rivulets of life flowing from his face, hands, back and side. This is why we preach Christ crucified. A condensation of the love of God is focused on the cross.
Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray
Memorial Lutheran Church
|
|
|
John Chrysostom
"The Apostle Paul says, 'It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified' (Gal 3:1). Yet Jesus Christ was not crucified in Galatia, but at Jerusalem. His reason for saying, 'among you' (Gal 3:5), is to declare the power of faith to see events which are at a distance. He says not, 'crucified,' but, 'publicly portrayed as crucified,' signifying that by the eye of faith they saw more distinctly than some who were present as spectators. For many of the latter received no benefit, but the Galatians, who were not eyewitnesses, saw it more clearly by faith. These words convey both praise and blame. Praise, for their implicit acceptance of the truth. Blame, because Him whom they had seen, for their sakes, stripped naked, transfixed, nailed to the cross, spit upon, mocked, fed with vinegar, upbraided by thieves, pierced with a spear; (for all this is implied in the words, 'publicly portrayed as crucified,') Him they had abandoned, and betaken themselves to the law, unshamed by any of those sufferings of Christ. Observe how Paul, leaving all mention of heaven, earth, and sea, everywhere preaches the power of Christ, bearing about as he did, and holding up Christ's cross. For this is the sum of the divine love toward us."
John Chrysostom,
Commentary on Galatians, 3.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Galatians 3:1-6
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain - if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith - just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"?
(ESV)
|
|
|
Prayer
O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For all those seeking work, that the Lord would grant work according to their vocation
For Kay McGlone, that the holy angels would surround her bed
For the gift of clement weather, that the Lord would vouchsafe to us the fruits of the earth
|
|
|
Art: GRÜNEWALD, Matthias
Isenheim Altarpiece (c. 1515)
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
