What is your best definition of the word “love”? The range of meanings that this word has in our English language is huge. In the span of very little time, for example, it is possible to hear someone speak of loving ice cream, falling in love, and being loved by God. In many other languages, there are precise words for the various types or depths of love. When it comes to love between people, however, actions convey what words can only begin to explain.
Isn’t it amazing that God chose to convey His love for us through both the written Word and through a real person? That’s what happened when Jesus willingly left His heavenly home and came to live among men for those history changing years. He lived in a family and then He chose a motley group of men and demonstrated not only His power and deity, but His humility and mercy every day and everywhere they went. When it became time for Him to make the ultimate sacrifice of love through His death, He brought His disciples face to face with what He wanted them to do in the future and how He would make it possible for them to love just as He had done.
Jesus said that final night before His crucifixion, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” (John 13: 34 – 35) How do you think that Jesus defined the concept of love?
