God’s kingdom truly is at hand—in our hands. God has given the kingdom to all of us. We are called to be God’s compassionate heart and servant hands to those in need. It can be a challenge for us to believe the gospel, to believe we are the loved and forgiven children of God who cannot be separated from this divine love. The gospel reminds us that in God’s kingdom we don’t have to fish around for a way to please God. We don’t have to hook God into loving us. When we live in the gospel of God’s love and forgiveness, we can help others to do the same, and be comforted.
This message is adapted from “Epiphany Devotions 2000” written by Ruth Dyer in the January/February 2000 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.