MESSAGE 8th October – 19th Sunday after PENTECOST – Year A
THEME: The law of God is love
Title: “Jesus: Our Cornerstone of Love by the Power of the Spirit”
Today we explore a powerful theme that runs through our readings from Exodus, Philippians, and Matthew. It’s the theme of Jesus being our cornerstone of love by the power of the Spirit. Just as a cornerstone holds a building together, Jesus holds our lives together through the law of God, which is love. Through our readings, we will discover how we can live out this love in various aspects of our lives.
I. The Cornerstone of Love (Exodus – The Ten Commandments)
In the book of Exodus, we encounter the Ten Commandments, a foundational set of principles given to us by God. These commandments are not just a list of rules; they are a revelation of God’s love for His people. Jesus, as our cornerstone, embodies the law of God, which is love. He teaches us to love God with all our hearts and our neighbours as ourselves.
II. The Power of Transformation through Love (Philippians 3)
In Philippians 3, the Apostle Paul speaks of the transformative power of knowing Christ’s love. He counts everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. As we embrace Jesus as our cornerstone of love, the Holy Spirit empowers us to love others selflessly. We are called to love as Christ loved us, sacrificing for the well-being of others.
III. Embracing Love in Our Responsibility (Matthew 21:33-46)
In Matthew 21, Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants. This story reminds us that love is at the heart of our responsibility in God’s kingdom. Jesus, the cornerstone of love, expects us to bear fruit by living out His teachings, which are rooted in love. We are to love our neighbours, even when it’s difficult, and share the message of God’s love with the world.
Remember that Jesus is our cornerstone of love, the firm foundation upon which our faith rests. By the power of the Spirit, we are transformed into His image of love, and through His teachings, we find guidance for living out this love in all aspects of our lives. As we embrace our responsibility to bear fruit for the kingdom through love, may we be a living testimony to the world of the boundless love found in Jesus, our cornerstone. Amen.