Jesus raises us up in love

Rev. YooJin Kim shares examples of how her congregation has become a channel of God’s love and peace as the living body of Christ in her community.

REV. YOOJIN KIM
Wacousta: Community UMC

Jesus’ actions and words in John 2:13-22 give us many things to contemplate. Jesus cleanses the temple with his righteous anger and then talks about destroying it and raising it back up in three days as a sign of his authority.

Jesus said that he could raise the temple in three days. However, as John clearly and kindly explains, this is ultimately about Jesus’ death and resurrection, the most significant theme we need to think about during Lent.

In this passage, Jesus foretells a shift in focus away from the temple and toward a new center of faith. Jesus will be raised — it is no longer about the building but who Jesus is and who Jesus calls us to be. Writing sermon notes for Discipleship Ministries, Dr. Lisa Hancock explains that Jesus “was moving from building to body, from structure to being, from that thing there to this person here.”

Jesus raises up the body of Christ, which refers not only to Jesus himself but also to those of us living here and now as the body of Christ, the church.

“Good morning, church!” That is my Sunday morning greeting for every worship service. I love this greeting, for it reminds us of who we are. We are the church, the body of Christ in the world. It also brings to mind a familiar song, and maybe some of you have already started singing it in your head: “I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together!” Yes, we are the church. We are the community of love and faith in Christ.

As the church, we experience God’s love poured out as we love and worship God and as we care for and love each other when we worship. This happens not only on Sundays but also when we encourage, support, care, and pray for each other every day.

During pastoral visits to members experiencing difficulties, I often notice a common sight in their homes — greeting cards. Tokens of care from fellow church members, these beautiful and colorful cards adorn their tables, shelves, and other spaces. With happiness shining on their faces, some members share the joyful problem of no longer having space to display them.

This scene always makes me smile and reminds me of our loving community. Though these caring gestures may seem small or inconsequential, they serve as tangible expressions of God’s love being poured out and shared among us. The acts of loving service are numerous, whether visiting the sick or lonely, sending cards, leaving food at the door for those in need, making phone calls to check in or offer assistance, providing rides to hospitals, or offering prayers.

Sometimes, people who receive this kindness will turn and care for others in the future — a ripple effect of people inspiring each other. The contagious nature of love within our community is palpable, reinforcing the bonds that unite us as the church.

We also need to remember that this love should be overflowing, bursting out of our lives and over the walls of our church. Jesus raises us up as the body of Christ. The church is not limited to just the relationships inside. We have a relationship with the broader community and the world. We are called to transform the world and bring the knowledge of God’s love to everyone.

Jesus shows us love, for he is love incarnate and teaches us to love. We transform the world by taking our acts of loving service into the community. This happens while feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and accompanying the lonely, isolated, marginalized, and oppressed in our neighborhoods and beyond.

Pouring the love of God into our communities is our task, as we are there as the body of Christ. Our church has done many outreach ministries. Very often, the donations we receive multiply like the story of the loaves and fishes — more than we planned or needed. The overflowing of love creates another joyful problem, with things always given to those who need them. God works in and through our generous and loving hearts.

Also, occasionally, some community members contact me to ask if we could participate in outreach for the community. I envision the church as a channel of love and peace — not only do we spread and share Jesus’ love and peace, but we also serve to connect and support one another, fostering care and compassion within our community.

During this season of Lent, as we anticipate Easter, we have time to think of Jesus’ cross and resurrection and his invitation to be raised up by his side. We need to listen to the call to rise up and be the hands and feet of Christ, carrying out the church’s mission in the world.

Let Jesus raise us up. Jesus raises us up as the church, the body of Christ, and helps us as we raise each other up, whether it’s our church family, our community, or the world, with the overflowing love that has been shown to us.