It's a confusing day to read the news, as three stories in today's Wall Street Journal demonstrate.  First, we learn that demand for gasoline is falling but crude oil prices keep rising.  Second, we read that inflation is on the rise around the world, though it's supposed to fall when the Fed cuts interest rates.  Third, we are told about Internet providers who invest vast sums to create transmission speeds far beyond what some computers can utilize.  Critics say this money would be better spent on other projects.  But one company spokesman retorts, "We think having too much bandwidth is a little like being too rich or too thin.  For most of us, it is difficult to be too much of either."

It is a confusing fact that the first passion of the first Christians was not to evangelize their world, though they did.  This week we have watched them take Christ to the "ends of the earth."  Why would Peter preach to the very men who crucified Jesus?  Knowing full well that they possessed the same authority to crucify him as well?  Why would Philip witness to the despised Samaritans?  Why would Paul, the zealous Pharisee, give his life for the Gentiles?  Because of their passion for the lost?  For evangelism and missions?  Actually not.  The apostolic Christians' passion was for Jesus.  They loved him so much they couldn’t help loving those he loves.  And they wanted others to love him.

I used to say that my heart’s desire is to know Christ and make him known.  I now believe that statement needs to be changed: to love him and love others to him.  Then we fulfill the two great commandments.  Then we make his passion ours.  Then we find the “one thing” which makes life meaningful.

How do we develop this passion?  The more we worship Jesus, personally and with others, the more we love him.  And the more we love him, the more we want to worship him.  Mother Teresa, when asked how she found the strength for her work, said, “Spend one hour adoring Jesus, and you’ll have all the energy you need.”  She was right.

We love others through service.  A kind word, deed, email, phone call.  Praying for a lost person.  Sharing the gospel with someone.  If we don’t feel love, we should act as if we do.  Counselors say it’s better to act ourselves into feelings than to feel our way into actions.  If you don't feel love for a person, spend some time worshiping Jesus and he will warm your heart.  If you don't feel close to Jesus, love someone in his name and you will.

As we develop the first Christians' passion for Jesus and others, we write Acts 29 today.  Who will see that you love Jesus today?

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