“For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Our world is broken. Brokenness is everywhere we look. Our politics are a mess. Our cultures are crumbling. We are surrounded by hatred and racism. People are at odds with one another over the smallest things. If we’re not careful, the whole scene can begin to get a bit overwhelming. While in some places this may feel like it’s all very new and scary, the truth is, this is simply the world as it has always been. The question for us to wrestle with is the same question people have wrestled with since there were more than one of us on the planet: What can we do about all of this? Jesus offered us a solution to the mess. It is simple and nearly impossible on our own. But if we will pursue it, it just may change everything. Let’s talk about it.

When Jesus walked around on earth He had one message that rang out above just nearly everything else He said. This message is really the lens through which we should understand His whole ministry. What was this message? The kingdom of God is here. In announcing the inauguration of a new kingdom, Jesus was sparking a revolution. And the ethic of this new kingdom was indeed revolutionary. The whole thing was wrapped around a single idea: Love one another. This one new command which, as Paul pointed out here in his letter to the believers in Galatia, fulfills the Law fired a shot across the bow of the world and its structures. If we want to be a part of this revolution, we only need to invite Jesus in and start loving.

I could spend several minutes exploring what this means and how to do it with you this morning, but I’d like to do something a little different. Sometimes a song manages to capture in a few minutes what a much longer written or spoken message might need to convey the same idea. For the last few years, one of my favorite artists is a pastor’s kid named Josh Wilson. Not only is his music outstanding, but he is one of the most theologically deep and sound Christian artists out there right now.

Last year, as the world was wracked by Covid and a host of ensuing social challenges, he introduced a song calling us back to the revolution of Jesus. The song is called Revolutionary, and I hope it blesses you this morning. If you like it, I’d encourage you to check out even more of his music. It really all is this good. Have a great Friday and weekend.