True Love

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13 NIV).

Today across America and in many countries around the world, lovers will be engaged in an annual ritual of expressing love to one another through cards, gifts, and romantic dinners. It's Valentine's Day.  

Long forgotten, however, is the man in whose memory this ritual was originally celebrated.  Valentine was a bishop in the 3rd Century Church. When the Roman Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage, Valentine began to secretly perform marriage ceremonies for young couples.  When the emperor discovered this, he had Valentine arrested.  Impressed by the bishop's convictions, he attempted to convert him to the worship of Roman gods.  At the same time, Valentine sought to persuade the emperor to follow Christ.  The end result was his execution.

It is said that while in prison, Valentine healed the daughter of a jailer of blindness.  Just prior to his execution, he penned a letter to the young woman, ending it with, "From your Valentine." 

Valentine gave up his life in the service of others.  That is what real love is.  So much of today's celebration of Valentine's Day trivializes love.  A recent survey revealed that this holiday causes more anxiety among men than any other.  They feel great expectations are upon them in what they do for their spouses or girlfriends.  And often they don't perform very well. Go today to any store selling greeting cards and you will see men gathered trying to find a card right before heading home.  For many, doing something on Valentine's Day is an obligation rather than a gift from the heart.  They do it, not because they really want to, but because that is what is expected of them. 

True love is not coerced.  Jesus was not forced to love us.  He chose to. No one made Valentine take a stand against Claudius; he chose to do it out of compassion for young couples.  

On this Valentine's Day, remember the words of the One whom the original Valentine followed to his death.  For in them we find the true meaning of loving someone. 

© Jim Musser 2014