Thoughts from the Benefice

A Christian friend once asked me if I preached the Beatles gospel. It was an interesting question. Perhaps he meant it as a challenging one, too. He was clearly referring to that no 1 hit by the Beatles: ‘All you need is love……love is all you need’. A great piece of music with simple lyrics which captured a profound truth. Deep in the hearts of all of us is the need for love.

February 14th is Valentine’s day where traditionally people express their love in different ways. We have one word in English for love but it includes many forms of love. As I was thinking about this, some images came to my mind.

The first was seen widely on TV. It is of Kevin Sinfield carrying his dear friend Rob Burrow over the finish line of his amazing Leeds marathon run. These men had become long- standing friends through their love of Rugby. Rob was a brilliant player but sadly he fell victim to Motor Neuron Disease (MND) and slowly began to lose his faculties. There is currently no cure for MND and Kevin determined to do something about it by raising money for research. The image of him lifting Rob out of his wheelchair and carrying him bodily across the line told us why he did it. It was more than simple friendship. It was love. Strong, sincere, deep, loyal. As I write this, I am recovering from a hip operation. The response from our local community has been wonderful. Ethne and I have been so encouraged and uplifted by the love expressed to us through people in so many ways. It’s not something vague. We feel it deeply.

The second image is of the Taj Mahal. This is one of the most beautiful monuments to love in the whole world. It was commissioned in 1632 by a Mughal emperor to house the tomb of a much-loved wife. When we saw it ourselves, we were moved. This is a commemoration of a different kind of love, a love which arises from a mutual attraction between two people. This love can lead to sexual intimacy and at its most fulfilling, a life-time of deep companionship and a close bond between two people.

Then there is the Cross. The Cross is where God displayed the greatest act of love ever. His love for you and for me. The Greek word for this kind of love is agape. It is the word used for love in the Bible. It represents a very special kind of love. A love that is totally unconditional. A love that is self-less. A love that gives whether or not it is returned. God created us to have a loving relationship with Him. Left to ourselves, we stray and fail to live in that love. But, through the death of Christ on the Cross we find love, forgiveness and reconciliation – a way back into the arms of God. The whole Bible is actually a love story.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life’.
John 3:16

‘All you need is love?’ – absolutely true and especially of God’s love.

So, do I preach a Beatles gospel? I hope I do.

Rev Dr Claude Scott