And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky…Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures…Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind…Let Us make humankind in Our image, according to Our likeness. Genesis 1:14, 20, 24, 26 NRSV.

God, after He spoke long ago…In these last days has spoken to us in His Son…and upholds all things by the word of His power. Hebrews 1:1, 2, 3.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.

Yesterday in the sermon we read together 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. He talked about what Paul was addressing in the church in Corinth that is alive in us today. Therefore from now on we regard no one according to the flesh…For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. The people in Corinth, just like all of us today, judged one another and it was infecting the brethren in that church just as it infects everything today. How do we regard by the flesh? Who is rich, poor, eloquent of speech, not eloquent of speech, religious/political/national affiliations. Who do we look down on? In what ways do we commend ourselves? The church was dealing with this just over 20 years after Jesus was resurrected and I can imagine many had never seen or heard Him speak. Many had come from pagan religions before becoming followers of Jesus. They were judging by the flesh only, and I couldn’t help but wonder how they would have felt about Jesus Himself, known then as being from Nazareth, a town of no repute. “Can any good come from Nazareth?” was a refrain heard in that time. And yet look at what Jesus, the Son, Creator God, did for us! Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, unified in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:1-7. Can we grasp how vast the difference was for Jesus, the Word, to lay aside His privileges to become one with us for the very purpose we struggle to comprehend? For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this – that One died for all, therefore all died, and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. He made Him who knew no sin – to be sin on our behalf – so that we might become the righteousness of God – in Him! And Paul who wrote those inspired words from God for us, was looked down upon because they judged him not eloquent of speech! What will it take for us to stop judging by the flesh only?

I admit I struggle to understand. It’s too big for me. And He reminds me that all the sorrows of this world cannot overcome His love and His purpose for reconciliation of all things in Him. As we allow His love to enter into our own hearts, He brings healing our own hearts deeply long for and need whether we ourselves realize that or not. Our own hearts know! Lord, help us to stop hurting one another and in that hurting and judging, bringing hurt into our own hearts that cry out for You and the healing Your love brings.

***ONE DAY IN YOUR COURTS How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, ever singing Your praise! Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion, as they go from strength to strength, for a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness for the LORD God is a sun and shield; You bestow favor and honor. No good thing do You withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed are all who trust in You! Psalm 84:1-12 (ESV). Adapted.***