Such Love!

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. —John 15:13 ESV

These days when people think about love, they mostly think about what they can get from the other person – affection, prestige, wealth and so on. It might be one of the reasons most relationships, including marriages, don’t last because love is mostly based on feelings and what one can get out of it. When the feeling is no longer what it was at first for whatever reason, or they don’t seem to be getting what they initially expected or signed for, the love fizzles out and dies.

The love that Jesus is talking about in today’s passage is different; it is a love that sees past peoples’ faults or what can be received or given. Even when mankind didn’t deserve this love, it was still offered and given to them. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV)

Jesus demonstrated this love while he hung on the cross, the majority of those that stood around Him, mocked and teased but all He said was, “…‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’” Luke 23:34 (ESV)

I kid you not, this is a hard act to follow, however, no matter what anyone might do or have done to us, God wants us to show love and forgive. In the preceding verse in John 15, Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” John 15:12 (ESV). And He has shown us what that love looks like.

Apostle Paul described this love further, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends…” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (ESV)

You might be thinking, “I can’t show that kind of love, I’m only human!” but with God’s power in us, we can. We only have to be willing and ask for the power to do it and surrender to the Spirit of God but it doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Some people will frustrate your effort, make it hard for you and our flesh of pride will always want to fight against it.

So, is there someone you need to show this type of love to, in your family, church, at work or in the community? Obey Jesus’ command today and show some love.

Happy Easter and stay blessed,

LaraLex