In our culture we love everything! We love a pair of shoes or we love a movie or we love a favorite song or we love a puppy or we love a milkshake! Sometimes I catch myself over-using this word “love,” and I have a hard time finding a different word to express what I’m feeling. In the New Testament, there are several words used for love:
Philiais friendship, brotherly love
Erosis passionate love, with sensual desire and longing
Storgeis natural affection, like that felt by parents for their children
Agapeis a deep, self-sacrificing love
1 Corinthians 13 is commonly known as the “Love Chapter.” The word “agape” is used in this passage. Yesterday, I read that chapter inserting Jesus’ name in place of “love,” for as we read in God’s Word (specifically in 1 John 4:8 and 16), God IS love. With each adjective, I tried to picture particular stories found in the Gospels that would back that attribute up. Let me give you some examples:
Love is patient . . . Jesus was patient
I think of many stories where Jesus was patient with the disciples. So often, they just “didn’t get it” when it came to spiritual issues. And Jesus didn’t get frustrated with them, but he was patient and kind (the second adjective in 1 Cor. 13) as He dealt with these friends. Patience is also shown in God’s desire for all to come to know Him.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (1 Peter 3:9)
Love is kind . . . Jesus was kind
Jesus loved children, loved lepers, loved tax collectors . . . He loved the lowly and despised. People desired to be around Him. Crowds followed Him. Men left their jobs and families to follow Him. People are not drawn to the unkind. Jesus was kind.
Love does not envy . . . Jesus did not envy
Jesus wasn’t about storing up material things. In fact, He instructed those who listened to Him NOT to do that. He lived a simple life, telling His followers to take nothing for their journeys. Not even “a staff, bread, a bag, money, or an extra tunic”. (Luke 9:3). When He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, one of the devil’s offerings to Him was for Jesus to rule the world. He modeled for us that the things of this world will not satisfy.
Love does not boast . . . Jesus did not boast
In fact, there were many times that Jesus healed a person and would tell them NOT to tell anyone about it! Think of the many miraculous deeds that Jesus could have boasted about!
Jesus was not proud
He washed His disciples feet.
He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2)
Jesus was not rude
Even when He was misunderstood. Even when He was mistreated.
Jesus was not self-seeking
How many times do we read that Jesus said, “I am about my Father’s business”?
Jesus was not easily angered
Yes, there are times when Jesus displayed righteous anger. He turned over the tables of the moneychangers in the temple. But He was not easily angered, and in His anger, He did not sin.
Jesus kept no record of wrongs
Think of the woman caught in the act of adultery. Jesus did not condemn her. He forgave her. He LOVED.
Jesus did not delight in evil, but rejoiced in the truth.
He IS the way, the TRUTH and the life.
Jesus always protected, always trusted, always hoped, always persevered.
Love never fails.
Jesus never fails!
And our attitudes should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5). Don’t you appreciate how God reveals Himself through His word? Jesus didn’t just say He was love and leave it at that. No, He demonstrated His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, He died for us! (Romans 5:8).
May I encourage you to dwell on the One who personifies love to us, Jesus Christ. And may we look to Him as our example of what love really is.
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