The Great Showman Showed Love
Love is not a feeling that you feel when you feel a feeling that you never felt before. Try saying that fast 3 times. That can’t be the definition because what you thought was a feeling of love might just be a feeling of an upset stomach. There is no greater place to look than in the life of Jesus to define true love. Jesus gave us these words that set the foundation for finding a definition of love. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35). If we see what He did, we will learn what love is.
Love reaches out to those who have been rejected by others. There is no better example in Scripture of people who have been rejected by others than the Samaritans. Jesus sat and visited with a woman of Samaria asking her for a drink of water (John 4:7). Her response tells the rift between the Jews and the Samaritans. “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (John 4:9). The writer John then explained,“For Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.”
Love sees those who have been overlooked by others. Leprosy has been a dreaded disease for thousands of years. God wrote about the disease for His people in Leviticus 13. He gave strict orders to halt its spread telling them to isolate away from the people until fully clean. While physical isolation was necessary, it should never have become an opportunity to away and mistreat those so affected. He encountered 10 lepers whose cries for help came as they “stood afar off” (Luke 17:17). They had been away from people for a long time and probably had very little interaction with anyone. On another occasion, Jesus was approached by a leper seeking help and Jesus, without having to do so, reached out and touched him to make him well (Matthew 8:4).
Love wants eternal good to come even for those who are trying to do them harm. I wonder how many people who were shouting for Jesus to be crucified even heard His words from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34).
Love helps people think properly who have only been thinking of themselves. James and John along with their mother were only thinking of themselves when they asked Jesus for places of honor in His kingdom. When the ten (other apostles) heard their words, they were upset. Maybe they wished they had thought to be the ones to ask and therefore had missed their opportunity. Jesus’ words to all them were designed to help them refocus. He said, “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” (Mark 10:44).
Love gives direction to people who have no idea where they are going. Multitudes followed Jesus as He went around preaching. However, Jesus knew that they were not sincere. After feeding them, He said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life…” (John 6:26-27).
There are so many others that we could consider. These are just a few examples how Jesus defined love by what He did. It is never recorded that Jesus said to them, “I love you.” But, could anyone doubt that He did? So let it be with us!
— Mike Johnson
