History tells us that the apostle John lived to a ripe old age. Tradition says that near the end of his life, when he was too weak to stand, John would gesture with his hand a sign of blessing. Then, sitting, he would preach a five-word sermon. Its message was always the same, “Little children, love one another.”
If tradition is true, we can see why John stuck to that theme. Four times in his gospel, he referred to himself as, “The disciple whom Jesus loved.” (Jn 13: 23; 19:26; 21:7 & 20) He used the strong Greek work for love, “Agape” more often that all the other three Gospel writers combined. John’s closeness to Jesus gave him a unique experience of the depth of God’s love.
But what is the Agape that is so compelling? In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Paul told us. The Weymouth translation brings it into focus: “Love is forbearing and kind. Love knows no jealousy. Love does not brag; is not conceited. She is not unmannerly, nor selfish, nor irritable, not mindful of wrongs. She does not rejoice in injustice, but joyfully sides with the truth. She can overlook faults. She is full of trust, full of hope, full of endurance.”
Such is God’s way with all who trust in Jesus as their Saviour. And because of His love, we can love others. We can only love God and others around us because, after all, He first loved us. Let’s take on that true Agape love and share it with everyone at Southern Bay Church. Those who are yet-to-be-saved will recognise that we are different to the rest of the world and want what we’ve got when we do display that Agape to each other.
God bless you and walk in real love, Daren
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