He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws. Praise the LORD. – Psalm 147:20

Today’s Scripture Reading (February 14, 2012): Psalm 147

Today is the day dedicated around the Western world to the idea of love. It is the day of flowers and chocolate, a day which helps keep both of those of those industries as well as the greeting card industry from going bankrupt. But I am not convinced that any of these actually have anything really to do with love.

Too often it seems that love is a one way street. Love is found in the idea someone will mold their will to ours. That they will do what it is that we want to do. But love means a sacrifice of self that goes both ways. Jesus sacrificed himself on a cross for us, but it shouldn’t end there. He sacrificed, so we sacrifice. It is what true love really is.

The psalmist talks about the ways that God has revealed himself to Israel. The things that he has done and the laws that he had given – all proof of the way that God has loved. To Israel, he gave himself. He made an investment in them because he loved them. To the world, he gave Israel. Israel, who was touched by God, would be given the task of making the world that God had created into a better place - all for love.

Jesus did the same thing. He chose the twelve and invested himself into them – he loved them – so that they would be able to carry that same love – and the same sacrifice to the world. In choosing them, he gave them the power to be world changers. And the world has been changed because of them.

As leaders, it is the best way that we can love. We invest ourselves into the few so that they will go and spread that love to the rest. And in doing that, we are involved in the process of making the world a better place.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1


Note: The February 5 Sermon - The Cafe of Christ - The Waitress - is now available on the VantagePoint Community Church Website. You can find it here - http://www.vantagepointcc.org/The_Cafe_of_Christ___The_Waitress.htm