This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

~John 15:12-13 NKJV

Chocolates, roses galore, candy hearts declaring “be mine,” beautiful cards proclaiming enduring love . . . Valentine’s Day is a time to remind our loved ones they are treasured.

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Hearts have always represented love. The merchandise outlets chime in, announcing the holiday has arrived. Red hearts make an appearance everywhere. Candy boxes, cards, T-shirts, and even underwear sporting an abundance of hearts cram the shelves. With all these hearts making their appearance, this begs the question, what or who is at the heart of love?

We need only look at another emblem that represents love to discover the answer.

The emblem that represents the greatest love we can experience is the cross. In John 19:16-17, we read “Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. And He bearing His cross went out to a place called the Place of a Skull which is called in Hebrew Golgotha” (NKJV). Now that is love! Jesus carried the cross that should have been ours. He suffered, died, and rose again so we could receive His unfathomable gift of love and experience eternal life.

Friend, this year take the time to look to the One who loves you more than you can imagine and receive His love. Jesus gave not only His heart but also His life so that we can know Him and receive Him as Savior and Lord. Jesus Christ embodies the greatest love. True love. Eternal love. LOVE in red capital letters. Love who gave His life and shed His blood on the cross. Love is spelled J-E-S-U-S.

Imagine what would happen if this year, on Valentine’s Day, we gave everyone a cross as the token of His love? What if we pointed them to the greatest love ever, to the One who shed His blood that our sins would be forgiven? What impact would this have on those in our sphere of influence?

The cross remains a symbol of God’s eternal love. Take time to thank Jesus for His sacrifice and share His love with someone today.

Have you shared Christ’s love with someone today?

Father God, thank You for Your amazing love. A love that is beyond our understanding but not beyond our receiving. Thank You for giving Your Son, Jesus Christ, that we might receive this great love. Empower us to share His love. Give us the opportunity to share Him with those around us.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2022: Greater Love: Glenda Shouse: All Rights Reserved