God Loved the World (ELW 323, focus on verse 2)
1 God loved the world so that he gave
his only Son the lost to save,
that all who would in Him believe
should everlasting life receive.
2 Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,
who was made flesh and suffered death;
all who confide in Christ alone
are built on this chief cornerstone.
3 If you are ill, if death draws near,
this truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus rescues us from death;
that is the firmest ground of faith.
4 Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son
forgives all sins that you have done,
and justified by Jesus’ blood,
your baptism grants the highest good.
5 All glory to the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, Three in One!
To you, O blessed Trinity,
be praise now and eternally!
Devotion
It has been said that the past is prologue. We can take this to suggest that when we begin something, we are preparing for the future. The Creator-God has been in the construction business a long time. Forming humanity from a lump of clay. Building a community from every nation, tongue, and tribe. Establishing a future where the riches from every nation bring glory to God. Not to be sold, traded, or stolen, but offered. There is healing there: the healing of racial division; the healing of economic classism; the healing of gendered sexism; the healing of the nations reconciled; the healing of hearts forgiven; the healing of the body no longer affected by handicap, injury, or disease. The tree of life is there. So there is life, and it is abundant.
All this is built on the solid rock, a firm foundation, and the cornerstone is Christ Jesus.
Prayer
Creating God, by your Spirit, make us expectant for the future you are constructing, confident in the foundation of faith in Jesus, patient with ourselves and others in the meantime, and assured by your love that is made known to us in Christ Jesus. Amen.