True Love

Read John 2:12–3:36

12. “If you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
13. No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.
14. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15. so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
16. For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
17. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” John 3:12-18

True love has inspired countless books, poems, movie scripts, and songs. Young men and women have spent endless hours dreaming about it. Wars have been fought over it, and people have ended their lives because of losing it. How can this emotion demand so much attention and cause so much misfortune?

Unfortunately, the popular perception of true love is wrong. It is not romantic feelings between a man and a woman. Jesus knows the answer, and in this reading, he explains true love to the truth-seeking Pharisee, Nicodemus. Earlier, Jesus revealed his love for his Father when he cleared the Temple. As you read, look for true love in action and think of how you should display your love for God.

The entire message of the Bible comes to a focus in John 3:16: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” Did you feel the weight of every word? There is no greater love than the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

As seen in Jesus’ sacrifice, there is a big difference between his true love and what we call “love.” While we reserve our love for special cases and special occasions, Jesus gives his love freely to all. While we love up to a point, Jesus loves to the point of self-sacrifice. While we restrict love to those who’ve earned it, Jesus loves those who can never deserve it.

Where are you looking for love? Please know that God loves you unconditionally. In fact, he loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to die for you so you might be forgiven and spend eternity with him. Give your life to the one who truly loves you. Let him teach you true love so that you can truly love others.