“See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles, and they will mock him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him, and he will rise after three days” – Mark 10:33-34
I love people. Now, that statement means a lot of things. It means that I enjoy their presence and getting to know them. It means I want what is best for them. It means I want to serve them. And it means I want them to always be happy… but it is that last statement that often gets me in trouble. Truly loving someone is not the same as wanting to please them. The truth is, truly loving people means that sometimes they will not be happy with us at all. In fact, if we love the way Jesus loved, people will sometimes hate us for it. That is because loving people also means telling them the truth and living the kind of life that demonstrates that truth. Biblical Truth has always been very unpopular in a fallen world.
Nowhere is this idea seen more clearly than in the arrest, trial, abuse, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus, in stepping down from heaven for the salvation of sinners, demonstrates the most perfect love that has ever existed. And yet, many people hated him for it. That is because understanding the Salvation that Jesus offers means that we must first understand our need for a Savior. To recognize what Jesus has accomplished on the Cross means we must first come to terms with our sinfulness…and no one likes to do that! So, this Valentine’s Day, as you think about love, don’t get lost in the world’s version of it. Instead, think on the perfect love of Jesus Christ and how you can demonstrate that love in your own life…even when the world does not like it.
Heavenly Father, fill our hearts with true love today. Empower us through your Holy Spirit to demonstrate the kind of love that Jesus Christ has shown to us. Let us never be satisfied with the worldly love that only serves to create false and temporary happiness.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon