The Bungee Cord 10-13-25

Hello,

I heard someone say that if you want to know what unconditional love is, accidentally lock your spouse and your dog in the trunk of the car and see which one is glad to see you when you open it up. It is hard to imagine even the most patient and understanding spouse emerging with a smile on their face. Far more likely it would be that darts would be shooting from their eyes with the rapidity of a machine gun, and shouts of, “You idiot!” exploding from their mount. But next to that eruption of anger and rage, there would certainly be the excited wagging of a tail, the twinkle of joy in the eyes, and a slobbery kiss, and the bark of resolute happiness coming from your dog.

The Bible tells us that on Easter evening when the disciples were hidden away in a locked room, fearing that they might find themselves hanging on a cross, suddenly another was with them who greeted them with the words, “Peace be with you.” Then he showed them the nail wounds in his hands and the spear wound in his side, and they realized it was Jesus. Jesus the one whom they all abandoned when the soldiers came to take him away….Jesus the one whom Peter had denied to even knowing him….Jesus whom they watched being locked tighter than a car’s trunk in a tomb. Jesus, when the tomb was opened and he encountered his fickle disciples in that room said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Notice, he didn’t say, “You cowards! How could have you let this happen to me!?” Nor did he say, “You backstabbers! How could have you denied me when I was facing torture and disgrace?!” Nor did he say, “With friends like you, who needs enemies!” No. When the tomb was opened and Jesus laid his eyes on his disciples he said as if wagging a tail, “Peace be with you.” Unconditional love.

It is that Easter evening encounter of Jesus’ disciples with Jesus that gives me absolute assurance that when I slam the trunk door on Jesus, and I do with a regularity of which I am not proud, when the trunk is opened, I will be greeted in a way far more resembling my dog than my spouse. When I give into the idolatry the world sets before me, an idolatry that leaves me holding an empty bag, and I open the trunk where I have stuffed Jesus, I know that I will hear the words from him, “Peace be with you.” When I cowardly deny Jesus by my selfish and heatless actions, and I open the trunk where I have stuffed Jesus, I know that I will hear the words from him, “Peace be with you.” And I know that when God opens my grave and I am looking right into the eyes of Jesus, even though I have left a trail of pain in my life’s wake, I will hear the words coming from him, “Peace be with you.”

As true as it is that I intentionally and accidentally lock Jesus in the trunk of my life’s care, I need not fear when I open it up,for I have come to know that grace and mercy are at the core of Jesus’ relationship with me. I will not be struck by darts of anger and disgust. I will receive the greeting akin to my dog’s. “Peace be with you.” Unconditional love.

Likewise, will you!

Have a great week.

God’s grace and peace, (ggap)

Pastor Jerry Nuernberger