For Tuesday, February 14, 2023:
John 13:34 NIV, Jesus speaking: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Today we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day in much of the world. It’s a Christian Feast-day with cultural and romantic overtones. Let’s have a look.
Valentine was a common name in early Roman Christianity. Several legends persist surrounding the day’s origin, including a 3rd Century Priest who was martyred, but the truth is that our knowledge of Valentine’s Day’s beginning is vague at best. Valentine isn’t in the Bible, but we celebrate it as a day of love, and love most certainly is in the Bible.
The Bible speaks of eros, the romantic love between a husband and wife; phileo, friendship for your brothers and sisters; and agape, a parent’s love for their children including God’s love for believers. As the church was beginning, observers would witness the caring, love and friendship of “the Way,” liked what they saw and wanted to become a part of the action. No one had previously seen that kind of helpfulness and it all looked good! The church grew by leaps and bounds!
Like the song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus in the City Fellowship
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