When did you last meet someone who was in love? We have a couple recently join us at church, who have been devoted to each other throughout their marriage. This has shown itself in selfless serving and grace giving. It is most evident now as one cares so loving for the other through this season of dementia. Through every step – love. We have other couples just beginning their journey together – endless messages and beaming smiles whenever the other is nearby.
Other friends have recently returned from travelling. Talking to them about their experiences, their faces lit up. You could almost see them reliving their journey in front of you. Then the facial expression changes as they realise they are no longer there. The love fades as the gap between now, and the event, widens.
In 1 John 4:7, John challenges us to love one another. This is an ongoing, daily, memory-making kind of love, that cannot fade or fail. This is love that comes from God.
Jesus was the example of God’s love on earth. I challenge you to choose a gospel and read through it, especially during the half term up to Easter. By doing this you will experience love in action. You will see love that heals, love that teaches, love that rebukes and love that gets angry. Jesus is love. John had a perspective of Jesus that was first hand. Jesus had called to him in his boat, along with his brother James. Jesus’ challenge to those early disciples was simple – “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
The gospel is simple. God is love; God loves you. Jesus came to live as an example of how God loves. Jesus gave himself up to die on a cross. Jesus paid for all the wrongs you have ever done. Jesus gives you the choice, like he did those early disciples, to follow him.
Why? Because God is love.
