L-O-V-E. Four letters that sum up the most intimate connection between people. One of the most powerful words in the English language that has unfortunately lost most of its meaning over time. A word that is used most often to describe a feeling, but is also frequently said with no meaning at all. Love. In present time, it’s hard to pinpoint an exact image or precise definition for what this word is. However, if we take a trip into history, we can see love in its purest, truest, and most beautiful form – as a person named Jesus Christ.
In his adult life, Jesus was a revolutionary of sorts. He came with a message so absurd that it even sounds a little crazy today. His teachings were completely contrary to those of the religious leaders of the time. In a world where strict adherence to laws and animal sacrifice were the path to holiness, Jesus preached belief in the Savior as the way to God. To a people who had been given a laundry list of “dos and don’ts” to reach an impossible level of perfection, Jesus told them in Matthew 22:37-38 that the two greatest of all of these commandments were to “love the Lord your God” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.” The top two instructions given to us as humans contain one key word. Love.
In Luke 6:27-35, Jesus goes on to share what this love looks like. “Do good to those who hate you.” “Bless those who curse you.” He literally told people to offer the other cheek when someone hit them. He explained that love is more than caring for those who care back, but to care even for those who are completely against you. Anyone can love those who love them back, but it takes true love to show it to those who despise you. He went as far as to tell people to give without ever expecting anything in return. For anyone might lend when they know they will be paid back, but it takes true love to give out of kindness than out of expectation for repayment. In its very nature, love is more than a feeling. In fact, it’s often going against what is felt. It’s deliberately shutting down all instincts that call for “an eye for an eye,” and choosing grace and mercy instead – just as Jesus did.
Not only did he preach a message of love, Jesus himself was love. He lived out what he told others to be. When his teaching eventually got him in a lot of trouble with the religious authorities (they didn’t like that he was taking away their power), he was willing to take his love for humanity all the way to the point of death. As he called out the leaders on their hypocrisy and injustice, they plotted his murder. When they arrested him and publicly beat him, he never fought back. “To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also.” When they nailed him to a cross where he hung for his death, Jesus made one final request, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Simultaneously as they mocked and ridiculed him, Jesus desired that their heinous acts would be forgiven. “Bless those who curse you.” Jesus cared more about these people as human beings than he did about the way they were treating him. “Love your enemies.” He knew that it would take his life for true relationship between God and humanity to be restored, and he sacrificed it. He gave his life up for people (us) who could never give him anything back. “Lend, expecting nothing in return.” Jesus exemplified that love is not merely a feeling, but a visible, tangible way of life.
