Love Means What? Series

Once again we are reminded, Jesus says; “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

In John’s Gospel, John uses two Greek words that both translate into the English word “love”.

The first Greek word is philos- which means a friendship type of love.

And the second Greek word the John uses is agape - which is more of an intimate type of love.

As John was writing this passage, he used both words, alternating between the two of them. The English translators translated philos as “friend” and agape as “love”.

Jesus knew that the type of love that we needed to show each other was more than just a friendship type of love; it needed to be a love that was genuinely truly.

A love of patience and tolerance, a love of compassion and servant hood.

Jesus instructs us to love people in a different type of love than we are taught to love.

I think it’s safe to say, that our society, our families and our friends, have taught us to be friends (philos) with each other. We tolerate some people and we show interest in others.

But Jesus’ command to each one of us is a little bit different than the philos type of love that we are taught. Instead, we are to love people with truly genuine patience and tolerance, compassion and servant hood. It goes against all of the norms that we have been taught, and it challenges us to strive to be better.

This morning, I fully acknowledge that I am nowhere close to demonstrating the type of love that Jesus wants me to demonstrate.

But I can promise you one thing, I have been challenged to try.

Won’t you try with me…?

To begin to change from within; and then to begin to change our community, our country, and the world.

We can do it because Jesus will guide us.

I will leave you with these thoughts:

Roy Fowler -

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love."

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth."

"Love is when someone hurts you, and you get so mad, but you don’t yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings."

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay."

"Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas -if you stop opening presents and listen."

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."

"You really shouldn’t say ’I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."