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The lessons from 2,000 years ago are just as powerful now, 2 centuries later. And maybe we need them even more today.
In the meantime …
A Special Bonus
“Inclusion” and “The Power of Love” are two of the pillars of our church’s faith. As a special bonus, the following is Part 4 of a 4-part series, by Madelon Maupin (MTS), World-Renowned Bible expert, Master of Theological Studies, and the speaker for The Week That Changed The World.
The Promise of Inclusion and the Power of Love – Part 4
By Madelon Maupin, MTS,
Speaker for The Week That Changed The World
As we read through the Bible’s Acts of the Apostles, we start to recognize a pattern of ever-outreaching love and inclusion.
Again, it’s the God-impelled force of the Holy Spirit, the same divine impetus that gave the healing career of Christ Jesus its transformative power. This Love that is God is divine and brings with it all the uninterrupted goodness and power that changes lives. Peter, Philip, Cornelius, the eunuch, and many women followers of Jesus’ teachings, were part of the early Church’s model for inclusion.
This is a practical, not theoretical, Christianity with its unmistakable message to love one another (John 13:34). And Christianity continues to demand that we express love to all. The Holy Spirit is at work today. God, Love, continues to direct, defend, and deliver.
A recent experience in my own life illustrates how God’s love is not just comforting but transformative. It also taught the power of forgiveness.
I love the Middle East and was leading a group of travelers on a trip throughout Israel. The highlight of the trip for many was going to the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent his last night in prayer prior to his arrest and trial. We had an appointment in a private part of the garden, and our group was settling into the quiet receptivity such a holy site demands.
As we waited for the guard to open the gate, a man suddenly appeared and began urging our group to buy souvenirs. I asked if he could move on, since this didn’t seem to be the right time. At that moment, his business partner, before unseen, suddenly appeared at my side screaming obscenities inches from my face.
The gate opened, and we all filed in, everyone taking half an hour of quiet time to pray about the events that occurred in the garden.
I went off to a section by myself, but instead of thinking about the events two thousand years ago, I was fixed on what had occurred two minutes prior. It was so shocking that it took a moment to gather my thoughts to pray. Immediately the word forgiveness came to thought, but curiously, not about the man, but myself.
I realized that I had initially responded to the souvenir seller with a rather brisk and less-than-loving attitude. This had upset the man who’d screamed at me. I spent the whole time in that garden asking God to forgive me for believing qualities such as anger and aggression were ever part of any of God’s children, including me!
As we wrapped up our visit, I actually felt deeply peaceful—I can only describe it as clean—as all those ugly thoughts and emotions drained away. In their place was a genuine feeling of affection for both myself and the men, as well as forgiveness.
We left for more sites and had a full, inspiring day.
As the group was loading into the bus at least three miles from the garden of Gethsemane and several hours later, I suddenly saw the same two men. I went over and found myself thanking them for providing tourists symbols of their beautiful country through the merchandise they sold.
We ended up introducing ourselves, talking, and within about two minutes, hugged as we said goodbye. I don’t know if they even recognized me from our earlier encounter, but it was a beautiful bookend experience showing the transforming power of divine Love available to all as we are receptive.
This is the divine Love that permeates the Bible and which we can call on and practice—as universal and available as numbers are to a mathematician or musical notes to a composer. We have so much to give our world that can bring hope and healing to every situation. Then we meet Paul’s glorious standard for interactions with all our neighbors: “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another” (Romans 13:8, New Living Translation).
For more about the sponsor, First Church of Christ Scientist, Morristown, NJ, click here.
Note: This article is based on a talk the author gave to the World Parliament of Religions. Madelon Maupin is from Scottsdale, Arizona, and will be speaking in our area in March.
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