Have you ever wanted to be a more effective lover? The weekend of Easter as recorded in the Gospels provides multiple lessons about the tough choices that love makes when confronted by adversity, abuse and betrayal.
Studying Holy week can help us make the challenging choices that love requires. In Christ’s case loving literally took Him to the cross. What does love ask of us?
Loving involves risk
– Jesus poured all He had into the twelve disciples, including Judas. Judas chose to betray His friend, Jesus. Interestingly enough the betrayal came in the form of a kiss. Luke 22:47,48
– Loving another is no guarantee against betrayal.
Loving someone means foregoing the right to retaliate
– In the garden Peter’s blood began to boil after he witnessed the authorities coming to take Jesus in the dark of night. Then he saw his friend, Judas, kiss Jesus. That was the kiss of betrayal. At that point Peter took matters into his own hands and impulsively cut off the ear of the Chief Priest’s servant, Malchus. Immediately Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Put your sword away.” Jesus then healed Malchus’ ear. Luke 18:11
– Loving another is not a license to get even.
Loving someone takes the courage to be honest
– Under the cover of darkness, Jesus found Himself surrounded by bullies, the Roman soldiers, the police sent by the religious leaders, the High Priests and Pharisees. From a centered internal place, Jesus asked, “Who is it you want?” They replied, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus responded, “I am He.” John 18:8
– Effective lovers are honest and courageous.
Love protects the one loved
– Jesus went on to say, “If you are looking for me, then let these men (the disciples) go.” John 18:8
– Love always seeks to protect the loved one.
Love is a choice to do what is best for the one loved, even when you don’t want to
– The blood thirsty crowds, the soldiers, the religious leaders condemned Jesus to the cross, but He chose to go to the cross because this was the only way we could become part of God’s family.
– He never lost sight of the big picture.
– On the Mount of Olives, Jesus separated Himself from his disciples and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42
– John records Jesus words in the garden, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” John 18:11
– Contrary to popular opinion one does not fall in love, one chooses to love. Love makes hard choices.
Love prays for the one loved
– The night of Jesus betrayal, Jesus spent extended time praying for the disciples and future believers. John 17:6-25
– Loving someone means that their deepest concerns are an important part of our personal prayer life.
On Easter weekend love literally went to the cross, Love went out on a limb.
Additional love lessons hidden in the Easter story will be highlighted in the next Conscious Lover’s Blog…..
