For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generationsFor the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

[Excerpted from “Love as Christ Loved” by Robin Linkhart, Mar/Apr 2022 Herald, p. 25]

All through the Gospel of John, Jesus is intent on helping disciples understand the reason for his being, the purpose of his mission, and the nature of God revealed in and through his life and ministry.

When they press him on issues of who’s in and who’s out—when they want him to clarify where he draws the line—Jesus flatly answers, “I will draw all people to myself.” Which is to say, “I am here for everyone.” There is no line. Radical selfless love, drawing all people close.

In the dawn of resurrection morning, God speaks clearly through the presence of the Living Christ about love.

Easter also helps us see deeper into the patterns of Christ-like living—the pattern of whole-life discipleship that Jesus, the peaceful One, modeled through his ministry.

Jesus talks about opening ourselves to a depth of relationship with God that transforms, a relationship that allows our authentic self to emerge as the false self withers and falls away.

Ours is a loving God who yearns to draw the world close in an ever-widening circle of transforming love, bringing healing, wholeness, and hope.

This is the Easter story for everyone. Easter calls us to become our true selves and rise to new life in the fullness of authentic being. It is the ongoing journey of becoming who God created us to be. Not someone else. Rather, exactly who you are—from the heart and soul—from the inside out.

Prayer Phrase

“See, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

Weaving a Life

Hold, or imagine yourself holding, a piece of patterned cloth. Examine it carefully. Notice overlapping threads, mingling colors that form the design. Write a journal entry or meditate about the threads and patterns of your life. What design do you see? How does the life pattern you are weaving create justice and wholeness in God’s world? What new pattern is God calling you to weave?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.