The Love of Jesus in the lives of so many!
Love one another just as I have loved you (John 13:34).
This morning seven people will be baptized. Hallelujah! Baptism is a great reminder of the saving power of Jesus. You can hear that saving power in the seven’s testimonies. You can see it so clearly in their faces. You can almost feel it as each goes down into the water—that’s Jesus’ death—and then, dripping wet, comes up rejoicing—that’s Jesus resurrection.
What a display! Jesus has the power to save any and all who trust Him. Any! All! That’s why His followers, the Church, are called to love any and all He brings our way. “Love one another,” Jesus commands, and He then adds, “just as I have loved you.” Jesus Himself, His humility and mercy and truth and kindness, He is the standard of our love.
This Baptism Sunday coincides with Mental Health Sunday among churches in the greater New York area. Jesus’ gospel-call to love others connects directly to a set of people with whom we are at times self-conscious if not uncomfortable: those struggling with mental health. Pastor Tracy shares his thoughts on this:
Approximately 20% of Americans suffer from some form of mental illness. Yet there continues to be a stigma attached to this diagnosis for too many. Note these two quotes from those who suffer with a mental health diagnosis:
· “I will never understand why every organ in your body gets support and sympathy when it is ill, except for your brain.”
· “I lie about being sick sometimes because people understand if you have a cold, but not if you have depression.”
In the community of Jesus we need to pull down the wall of stigma for mental health. In a broken world, we would expect all things to be broken. The gospel tears down the stigma of all brokenness.
One way we love others here at Stone Hill is through a ministry called “Sufficient Grace.” It is a gospel-centered support group for those who struggle with, or have loved ones who struggle with, mental health. You’ll hear more about it in June. Meanwhile, you can contact the office for more information.
