For God So Loved the World... | Rev. David Pileggi

Christ Church Jerusalem

Many people, even some Christians, think that the Old Testament is only about Law and the New Testament is Love. But the ancient revelation was not changed by Jesus or Paul, although our ignorance of the Hebrew Bible, and perhaps even some anti-Semitism prevents us from seeing the connection. God’s election of the people of Israel was an unmerited act of grace and love, and only then is Israel commanded to love God by keeping his commandments (one of which is to love the marginalized. Deut.10:19). In today’s readings we see that Christians are also chosen by God and we abide with Him by keeping His commandments and loving one another. One well respected biblical scholar of the Old Testament has summarized this overarching theme of the Bible by saying: For God so loved the world … that he chose the people of Israel. Readings: Acts 10:44-48; Deuteronomy 10:12-24; John 15:9-17