Commit to Memory: “Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, see how much he loved him!” John 11:35-36 NLT
Love is the strongest force on the earth. The word love is freely used but full of meanings based on context. In Greek, there are three distinct words that explain, express and exemplify love: The first is Philio, Eros and Agape. The first refers to love between friends (love for your neighbours), the second talks about love bonded with sex or lust and then the third is Divine love (your love for God). Love will be meaningful when you can live, walk and dwell in love and step it beyond the pulpit and pew to the world around you by your intentional actions of giving, care and kindness.
In today’s commit to memory storyline, Jesus had been told by Mary of the demise of Lazarus his brother whom Jesus loved, when Jesus saw Mary weeping alongside the tears of the Jews around- He was troubled in Spirit and moved with compassion such that He wept. The Jews present at the scene saw and attested saying: “See how He loved Lazarus”. His compassion moved him to tears- that was love at its peak, love beyond lip service and love showed by empathy. 1 Peter 4:8 NLT says:
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
Friends what do people say and think about you when they see you and notice your actions and deeds? Does it point to the love of Christ as reflected in today’s commit to memory? Does your life define the God kind of love? Do you give to people to make them feel and think they are nothing without you and that their lives revolve around your support? Have you turned yourself to be proud and another El-shaddai? Do you give to only people that can reciprocate love back to you? If yes, repent today.
Reflection: If you say you are a Christian, those living with you- your spouse, children and neighbours should not need any dictionary to check what love means.
Prayer Lines: Father, let my life spell, define and express the love of Christ now and always.