“For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

As a pastor, the week before Easter Sunday always brings up the question of motivation. You may already know this, but church attendance on Easter is almost guaranteed to be higher than probably any other Sunday throughout the year. Why is that? Is it because people can’t wait to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Is it because people are hoping for a little better service than what they get on your average Sunday? Is it because people feel guilty for not regularly attending throughout the year? Is it because Easter has just become a family tradition for them? I’m sure for everyone it is different. But it is my pastoral hope that every time God’s people come together for worship it is because we are deeply compelled by the love of Jesus Christ.

The love of Christ should be our compelling motivation for every action in life, not just Sunday morning. If we have truly come to understand that Jesus stepped down from heaven, lived, suffered, died, and rose again to accomplish victory over sin for us, then all selfish motivation should disappear and only the love of Jesus should remain. Every Sunday morning worship service, every dollar given to ministry, every conversation with a friend, every moment spent discipling…literally everything we do should be a deep, loving response to Jesus’ incredible love for us. So, I hope to see you this coming Sunday. And I hope to see you because you truly love Jesus and you understand how much he loves you!

Lord, fill us with a clear picture of Your love for us through Jesus Christ. Let that love, and our love for Him, be what motivates us in every moment of every day.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon