Dear Faith Family,

In just a couple of days, hundreds of millions of people--including our faith family--will take part in traditions, celebrations, and worship all because Jesus died and is alive forevermore (Rev. 1:18, 2:8).

This "holy week" is filled with remembrances of Jesus' execution and resurrection, offering us the opportunity to meditate on the love of God poured out for us through Jesus (Jn. 3:16). God's love flooding our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5).

Of all the things this week we could consider (sin, life, death, power, sacrifice, joy, etc.), I encourage you, faith family, to consider love. To consider the love that compelled our Father to persistently and patiently endure our rebellion until the right time (Gal. 4:4). To consider the love that compelled Jesus to "take the form of a servant" (Phil. 2:7) and give his life so that we might live. To consider, with Paul and Timothy, what our lives would look like if we could say,

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
(2 Cor. 5:14)

May you know God's love, and may God's love be known through you and us. This week, and forevermore. Through Jesus Christ, "the first and the last, and the living one." Amen.

Love you, faith family. Praying our Father's blessing over you and looking forward to worshiping with you Easter morning!