Entering the Weekend with Christ

Hi everyone,

This Sunday we see the radical love that God calls for each of us to show to everyone, even our enemies!  Joseph demonstrates the transformative power of unconditional love to reconcile, restore and renew.  Can you imagine the shock of his brothers when heard "I am your brother Joseph!"

Pastor Tim

"God has led you to the desert, and spoken to your Heart."

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church

3546 E. Thomas Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-956-1620 office

God's Radical Love: Reconciliation and Transformation

Dear Friends, this Sunday we see the radical love of God for his children, a love that transcends human understanding and defies our expectations. Through the Scripture readings of Joseph’s unconditional love for his brothers, Paul's explanation of the resurrection, and Jesus' teachings on love and forgiveness, we will explore the transformative power of God's love to reconcile, restore, and renew.

Joseph's Revelation: Genesis 45 recounts the dramatic moment when Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers. After years of betrayal and suffering, Joseph stands before the very men who sold him into slavery. Instead of seeking revenge, he offers forgiveness and reconciliation. He explains that God used their evil intentions for good, to preserve their family and save them from famine. Joseph's tears of forgiveness and embrace of his brothers demonstrate a radical love that surpasses human capacity.

Paul's Explanation of the Resurrection: In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul addresses the question of the resurrection body. He uses the analogy of a seed that dies to produce a new plant, illustrating the transformation from a natural body to a spiritual body. He emphasizes that just as we have borne the image of the man of dust (Adam), we will also bear the image of the man of heaven (Christ). This transformation is not merely a physical change; it signifies a radical renewal of our being, a participation in the resurrected life of Christ.

Jesus' Teachings on Love and Forgiveness: Luke 6 presents Jesus' radical teachings on love and forgiveness. He commands us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. He challenges us to give generously, forgive unconditionally, and judge mercifully. These teachings are not merely idealistic pronouncements; they are a call to embody God's radical love in our daily lives.

God's Radical Love in Action:

• Reconciliation: Joseph's forgiveness demonstrates the power of God's love to heal broken relationships and transform enemies into family.
• Transformation: Paul's explanation of the resurrection reveals the radical renewal that God's love offers, transforming us from mortal beings to participants in eternal life.
• Unconditional Love: Jesus' teachings call us to extend God's unconditional love to everyone, even those who have wronged us.

God's radical love is not a sentimental emotion; it is a transformative power that changes lives and heals the world. It challenges us to move beyond our natural inclinations of self-preservation and retaliation, and to embrace a love that is selfless, forgiving, and boundless.