Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Shalom,
Love Each Other / Glorify God part 1 – Romans, part 226
Romans 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the powerless and not just please ourselves.
Today, we begin our study of the last two chapters of Romans. Notice the title I’ve given it, “Love Each Other / Glorify God.” Paul “kicks this off” (I love a good football analogy) with a call for us “who are strong… to bear the weaknesses” of others. This leads us to ask the obvious, “How do we do that?”
The objective is love, and true love always puts others first. Before concluding that “love never fails,” Paul defines love like this… 1Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not brag, it is not puffed up, 5 it does not behave inappropriately, it does not seek its own way, it is not provoked, it keeps no account of wrong, 6 it does not rejoice over injustice but rejoices in the truth; 7 it bears all things, it believes all things, it hopes all things, it endures all things. Seems rather inclusive doesn’t it.
Bullying is the way of the world. Not so in the kingdom of God. Those who are weak and powerless are to be supported, encouraged and built up by those who are strong in the Lord. Take this to heart. Find somebody to love and share the blessing. An interesting thing will happen. The more love you give, the more love you have. Again, we have to conclude, “Love never fails.” Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue 5-Dec-2023 22nd of Kislev, 5784
Ge 37:23-36 1 Sa 12 Ps 52 Mk 9:1-29 (1 Co 11)