Cinnamon hearts, Hallmark cards, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, flowers priced double (triple) what they will be in a week … the consumable expressions of love in our society.
If they are consumable, they don’t last … so what are the lasting expressions of love?
I look at my ‘ring finger’ on which is my gold wedding ring sits. Though it is not my original wedding ring, it does symbolize the vows we took, the promises made thirty plus years ago.
If he were to die ahead of me (which is not my plan), it would provide a constant reminder of the love we shared for each other … it does that now while we are both still alive and well … well, most days.
The Bible speaks of an expression of love that lasts into eternity.
“Greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). This is a verse which tells of the expression of love from Jesus, through the willing sacrifice of his life on the cross. It is also the model of love for us all.
Jesus’ expression of love for us is the example of the Golden Rule,
“Do to others as you would have them do to you“ (Luke 6:31).
And we read it, and we quote it, and we post it on social media … like it’s easy!
It’s not easy!!
When Jesus went to the cross, as the ultimate and most everlasting expression of love he did so for ALL people!
He did so for :
- his mother
- his disciples
- for the sweet church lady
- for the child with special needs
- for the man who gave wealth to care for the homeless
But he also gave his life for :
- the Jewish leaders
- Pontius Pilate
- Adolf Hitler
- the addict who just stole a purse to buy more drugs
- the man convicted of child abuse
I struggle to even write that Jesus gave his life for … these people. For I struggle to see them as worthy of such love. And that is where the lesson of love rests, for me and you. The love of God is greater, goes farther, reaches lower all to reconcile, to pardon, to redeem the vilest of us all ..
me … with my hard heart (and matching hard head), my selfishness (opposed to his selflessness), my judgemental attitude.
God gave his life for me … even if I choose to not receive his gift of love, even if I choose to not be transformed by his love … he gave anyway.
The love of God is the greatest, most lasting expression of love.
itsawonderfilledlife 
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