The People Business
Scripture Reading — John 3:1-17
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
—John 3:16
God values people so deeply that he resolved to stop at nothing to reach out to us with his love. Even when it meant taking on human flesh and then offering himself as a sacrifice for our sin, the Lord showed himself willing.
The price of sin against the God who is holy is so costly that it carries the penalty of death (Romans 6:23). Yet God, in mercy, chose to pay that price for us. Because of his love for us, he determined to make things right between heaven and earth. His own Son would offer up his life, covering the cost of sin “once for all” (Hebrews 9:12). The only thing required of us is that we receive him in faith.
Because God is in the people business, we’re called to make people our priority as well. Whenever we call on someone who is ill, or we write a card of encouragement to someone in need, or we care for the children of a single parent so that the parent can find some rest, then we’re embracing mercy, an important Sabbath practice, regardless of the day of the week.
How are you practicing mercy in your community? How are you embracing people in your neighborhood? How are you putting people first?
Dear God, thank you for valuing us so deeply that you sent your Son to offer his life on our behalf! Enable us to embrace him in faith, and to embrace the people around us with his love. Amen.
About the author — Shawn Brix
Rev. Shawn Brix has served as pastor in several Ontario churches. He and his wife, Jenny, have three children.
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