Loving God and Loving People

This is Day 3 of Holy Week.

The last week of Jesus’ life here on earth.

 And I’m getting ready for Easter lunch with our extended family.

Tucking flowers and moss and eggs into this dough bowl, hoping to make 8 little people smile when they prance in on Sunday afternoon all ready to hunt eggs and blow bubbles and celebrate spring.

At least that’s what my hands are doing and honestly it seems a little silly and frivolous when I think of setting a table along side the soulful significance of Holy Week…

My hands are busy getting the house ready for family while my heart and my head are fixed what Jesus was doing in the days before he was crucified.

On day three, Jesus taught.

He must have wanted to say so much to those he loved-us included.

He taught in the Temple and he taught on the Mount of Olives that day.

Reading back over all he said, his answer to this question stands out …someone asked him:

“Of all the greatest commandments, which is the most important?”

Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:37-39

So that’s what it all boils it down to… love God and love people. 

Love.

Mike and I pray this in our morning prayers almost every day…help us today Lord, to love you and love others. 

Finishing up the table, it occurs to me that for this moment in time, preparing the house for my family is one way I can do that…love God and love people. 

 Creating an atmosphere where every single person that walks through our door feels the extravagant love of God isn’t silly or frivolous.

Perhaps it’s even soulful work that occupies my time on this third day of Holy Week…

Are you able to take some time this week to focus on what Jesus did in the days leading up to the cross?

If you want to read more about Day Three of Holy Week, go here:

 Matthew 21:23–24:51, Mark 11:20–13:37, Luke 20:1–21:36, and John 12:20–38.

And for more thoughts on God in the simple things, go here:

God is in the Sweeping