The salutation with my own hand — Paul’s. If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 Corinthians 16:21-24

“Marana tha! O Lord, Come”
By Jennifer Kane

Loving Jesus is not passive;
It is vibrant, alive, like the pulse of a heartbeat,
It moves within, stirring the soul,
A love that shines and overflows,
Centering my life on the One who saves.

May my life be perfumed by the sweetness of Christ,
A fragrance lingering in every moment,
In my words, gentle yet bold,
In my thoughts, set upon heaven,
In my actions, speaking of Your grace.

So Marana tha, O Lord, come!
Stir my heart to know You deeper,
Not merely in quiet moments,
But in the busyness of the day,
In the ordinary and the divine.

Lord Jesus, I long to grow in love for You,
A love unwavering, a fire that never fades.
Teach me to find joy in Your presence,
To feast on Your Word as my daily bread,
To drink deeply of Your truth, my living water.

May my life be a reflection of You,
Pure, holy, and surrendered,
In each word that falls from my lips,
In every thought that fills my mind,
In all I do, Lord, may You be seen.

O Come, Lord, and fill me with Your grace,
Saturate my heart, renew my soul,
Let Your light be my guiding flame,
Your peace, my resting place.

Marana tha! My heart cries out,
O Lord, come!

—

In these closing words of 1 Corinthians, we see Paul’s deep love for both Jesus and the church. His personal note, written with his own hand, underscores the sincerity of his message and the authenticity of his relationship with Christ. This final greeting reveals Paul’s conviction about the importance of loving Jesus genuinely. His bold statement—“If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed”—reminds us that true commitment to Christ is grounded in love.

But what does it mean to genuinely love Jesus? Paul’s message suggests that love isn’t simply an internal feeling but is seen through “overt acts.” Loving Jesus is not passive; it’s active, visible, and involves a life that is centered on Christ.

How does our love for Jesus grow? By making prayer, Scripture, and fellowship our delight. It’s a journey where, little by little, the “sweetness of Christ” fills us, until we find ourselves completely captivated by His love. When our lives are aligned with Jesus, it becomes impossible to look back to “old loves” or the allurements of this world. Our hearts become like vessels, prepared for God’s glory and mercy.

Are there areas of my life that need more of Jesus’ sweetness? How can I show my love for Jesus in my daily actions and interactions with others? Do I long for Jesus’ return, as Paul did? How might this anticipation shape my life?

May the grace of Jesus shape your heart. Like Paul, make love the beginning and end of your actions.

—–

Prayer:

Lord, come soon! Please fill my heart with Your presence and make Your love the center of my life. Let my love for You be alive, stirring me with purpose and drawing me closer to Your heart each day. I long to reflect You in all that I do—may my words, thoughts, and actions be sweet with the fragrance of Your grace.

Teach me, Jesus, to love You fully, in every moment, both quiet and busy, ordinary and sacred. Saturate my soul with Your truth; let Your Word be my daily bread and Your Spirit my guiding light. Give me a love that is bold and unwavering, a love that finds joy in Your presence and strength in Your promises.

Come, Lord, and fill every empty place within me. May Your peace be my rest, Your grace my comfort, and Your light my direction. Let my life be a vessel of Your love, reaching out to others and bearing witness to Your goodness. Lord—come and make me more like You. In Your holy name, I pray. Amen.

October 25 2024