Dear Baptist family,
During these unprecedented times that we are facing, we, as followers of Christ, are called to remember the unprecedented love that God has shown and continues to show us every day. As Easter draws near, we especially think of the enormous sacrifice that God made for us.
We have developed a 5-part devotion series that will be distributed each Friday until Easter and will conclude on Easter Sunday. For some you may choose to use this as a starting point, or a resource. Others of you will hopefully find it a small drop of inspiration in your day.
As you use this devotion series to reflect on God's unprecedented love, please continue to show love in and to your community, especially by praying for those most vulnerable, those who are in isolation, those who are marginalised, our healthcare workers and for our leaders.
As countries are shutting their doors, let’s open our hearts. Together, we can face this unprecedented time with #unprecedentedlove. Please share your #unprecedentedlove in action either via comms@buv.com.au or on socials and we'll share with the rest of our BUV family.
We hope you enjoy Part 1 of this 5-part Unprecendented Love devotion series below and we look forward to bringing you Part 2 next Friday.
Baptist Union of Victoria
Devotion Part 1
Unprecedented Love for Unprecedented Times
by Rev Jonathan Stark
“Would you like some toilet paper?” asked the young neighbour who had just pressed the doorbell. “We have enough and thought you might need some.”
A little kindness speaks volumes. Moments of unexpected love in times like these stay with us forever. But to be completely honest, it’s not easy to show unprecedented love. When there’s a crisis, it’s easier to stop caring for others because our own needs aren’t being met.
Like U.S. man Matt Colvin, who bought 18,000 bottles of hand sanitiser from stores across the state of Tennessee, we tend towards wanting what is best for us even if causes others to suffer. When Colvin then tried to sell the bottles at inflated prices, he experienced a huge backlash from the public and he had second thoughts. He decided to give the bottles away to a church to distribute instead. It took Colvin a while, but he got there eventually! It’s hard to love in unprecedented times.
But Jesus did. He demonstrated breathtaking love in the most hostile of times. He chose to love. He wasn’t tricked into dying, nor was he forced into it. He chose the cross. Though it would mean pain, humiliation and complete separation from God, Jesus chose the cross. There is nothing that demonstrates God’s love more powerfully than the cross. His love was unprecedented.
As Easter approaches we have an unprecedented opportunity to show unprecedented love to those around us. How was it that Jesus didn’t let all of the obstacles to the cross stop him from showing love? What kept him going? One possible answer to this question is found in Luke 9:51, where we learn that, “Jesus resolutely set his face towards Jerusalem.”
It seems that he made a decision to love and was determined to keep to going in the direction of Jerusalem where he would be crucified.
Have you made a decision to turn your face towards others in this unprecedented time with unprecedented love? Yes, there are challenges. And yes, it’s hard. But let’s choose to love like Jesus. He chose to love. Talk to your family and friends about your resolution.
And as we head towards Easter, let’s commit to finding unexpected ways to show unprecedented love in these unprecedented times.
God Bless,
Jonathan
If you are self isolating or your church has suspended its gatherings, many of our Baptist churches are already live streaming their Sunday services. Here are their links :
- NewHope Baptist Church – newhope.net.au/teaching
- Crossway Baptist Church – https://www.crossway.org.au/campuses/online-campus/
- One Hope Baptist Church – https://www.onehope.org.au/watch-and-listen/
- Syndal Baptist Church – https://www.sb.org.au/watch
- Bendigo Baptist Church – https://www.bendigobaptist.org.au/sermons
- Follow Baptist Church – https://follow.church/media
- You can also encourage people to listen to church podcasts:
- NewHope Apple Podcasts or NewHope Spotify
- Check other churches websites for podcasts
Source: BUV News
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