It’s almost Valentine’s Day when the world thinks about “romantic love.” I know the restaurants will be full and the card and candy makers and flower shops will have a busy day. Maybe even the jewelry stores. I remember talking to a waitress once who told me that she hated working on Valentine’s Day because the tips weren’t very good. People had spent all their money on the dinner and gifts. However, she loved working Mother’s Day because it was the best tip day of the year. Apparently, we still want to impress our moms!
Jesus had a lot to say about love, not the romantic kind, but the love that emanates deep from His presence in us and captures not just emotions but a determined will of obedience. He said:
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” [John 15:12 NKJV]
“I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” [Matt 5:44-45 NIV]
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” [John 14:23 NKJV]
None of what Jesus said about love is easy.
We are to love each other as He loved us. That involves sacrifice.
He said we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us as they persecuted Him.
And He said our love for Him will be seen in our obedience to Him.
Nope, not easy, and it is getting harder in our society today to follow Jesus’ way of love, but there is also a promise given. If we do love as He commands, He and the Father will come and make their home with us. Loving Jesus’ way may not be easy, but it is sure worth it! Amen.
