Day 232
Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24
Love Is…
When I hear the passage of 1 Corinthians 13 read, I immediately think of a wedding ceremony. My wife and I were married 10 years ago, and this passage was read aloud in the service. Why did we and thousands of other couples around the world choose to read this passage? Because it speaks about love, right? Yes that is absolutely one of the reasons so many choose it for their ceremonies, but there is a greater implication to this piece of Scripture than how we should love one another; it embodies how we have been loved by Someone.
Verses 4-7 describe our Savior Jesus Christ and all the characteristics that He displayed in His time on earth. While I will not take the time to elaborate on each, I want you to see just what He did and did not do as He set the example for us.
- Jesus was patient when the disciples and others didn’t understand what He was trying to teach or didn’t practice the principles they had been taught.
- Jesus was kind in the way that He taught them these truths and corrected them when they didn’t fully grasp them.
- Jesus was not envious of others and never boasted of His own strength and power. He gave all the glory that could have been His own to God the Father although they were in fact one and the same.
- Jesus was not proud or boastful but intentional in the way that He presented the gospel.
- Jesus kept no record of wrongs as He proclaimed forgiveness that came through repentance.
- Jesus never delighted in evil and could have easily given in to temptation as Satan himself met Him in the desert.
- Jesus did not fail!!!
I challenge you to try an exercise today to see where you are with these characteristics. Everywhere you see “love” in the passage insert your name. As you do this, use it as a measuring stick to know where you need to work on becoming more like Christ in your own life. None of us will be Jesus, but may this be a way that you strive for holiness in your own walk and life.
The Rev. Wes Sharp