It has been a rainy couple of days in Bakersfield, which is awesome.

Sprinkles here mean real rain and snow in the mountains. And water in the mountains means life in the Valley.

Jesus said rain teaches about love.

Wanna love like God? Don’t just love your friends and hate your enemies. Even the pagans do that.

No, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Then you’ll love more like God.

And then Jesus talks about sunshine and rain. God lets the sun shine on both the good and the wicked, and He lets it rain on both, too.

In the sermon a couple weeks ago, we heard this called “common grace.” That’s the standard God sets for us. God gives gifts to people in this life, whether they acknowledge Him or not.

There are old translations of the Bible that translate love as charity. There’s a nuance there; it’s the voluntary giving of support to those in need. We use the word in terms of supporting charities, but it goes farther than that. In fact, it has no boundaries.

Want to be like God? Love everyone.

For Jesus, that led Him to the cross. Where will it lead you?

(Lent 15/40)