Pastor Art Torpy
From the March 2024 Newsletter
“ArtWork”
Once upon exiting a hospital after visiting a church member I happened to see a sign with the statement: “What you do for yourself dies with you. What you do for others is immortal and lives on.” For those patients receiving help and care, knowing that statement informed them of the doctors, nurses and staff’s understanding of their purpose and role. It would serve to offer them some comfort. The patients’ families would be reassured as well because they would know their loved ones were receiving the best kind of care possible; that hospital staff were doing eve-
rything possible. When released, you would expect the patients and families to give the hospital some of the credit for their recovery and recommend the hospital and personnel to others in need of care.
It seems that Jesus was, among many things, a man who did for others rather than himself. He made a simi- lar statement to the one above: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:13-14)
This statement is usually seen in light of Jesus’ giving his life on the cross. Yet throughout his ministry he gave his life daily for others. Sometimes the greater sacrifice is living for another’s well-being. Those who follow Jesus are also called to be active care-givers and likewise lay down one’s life for others.
Perhaps this is part of Jesus’ immortality. That he did care for people as he lived years ago and God saw fit to make an eternal imprint of his loving acts which continue to extend to the present day—to you and me and others. Remembering what Jesus did for us makes us a part of his immortal legacy. A legacy we are called to share with others. “What you do for yourself dies with you. What you do for others is immortal and lives on.”
Grace, Pastor Art
“ArtWork”
Once upon exiting a hospital after visiting a church member I happened to see a sign with the statement: “What you do for yourself dies with you. What you do for others is immortal and lives on.” For those patients receiving help and care, knowing that statement informed them of the doctors, nurses and staff’s understanding of their purpose and role. It would serve to offer them some comfort. The patients’ families would be reassured as well because they would know their loved ones were receiving the best kind of care possible; that hospital staff were doing eve-
rything possible. When released, you would expect the patients and families to give the hospital some of the credit for their recovery and recommend the hospital and personnel to others in need of care.
It seems that Jesus was, among many things, a man who did for others rather than himself. He made a simi- lar statement to the one above: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:13-14)
This statement is usually seen in light of Jesus’ giving his life on the cross. Yet throughout his ministry he gave his life daily for others. Sometimes the greater sacrifice is living for another’s well-being. Those who follow Jesus are also called to be active care-givers and likewise lay down one’s life for others.
Perhaps this is part of Jesus’ immortality. That he did care for people as he lived years ago and God saw fit to make an eternal imprint of his loving acts which continue to extend to the present day—to you and me and others. Remembering what Jesus did for us makes us a part of his immortal legacy. A legacy we are called to share with others. “What you do for yourself dies with you. What you do for others is immortal and lives on.”
Grace, Pastor Art