"Let me give you a new command:
Love one another.
In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other."
John 13:34-35 MSG
Valentine's Day is this kind of strange celebration of love that seems to have its origins in pagan fertility rituals...now taken over by florists & chocolate makers...flowers fade and the pleasure of chocolate soon subsides, but the love Jesus calls us to is not flowery or sugary, but is strong, gritty, sacrificial...it does not fade, it does not subside, it does not give up when things get tough, but preserveres, forgives, gets up and loves again.
This is the love we get, & this is the love Jesus calls us to live out, not just on one day, but every day...
#loveoneanother
#stronglove
#grittylove
...four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus... Mark 2:3-4 NLT Great account of inventiveness and determination to get their friend to see Jesus. Love this. Do you wonder about the back story? Are these the same 4 people who bring this man food? Take him to the toilet every day. Clean him up. Does he live with one of them? Are they family? Are there whole families or groups of people in the background who have supported and cared for this man? A group of children who grew up seeing their parents love in action? Probably. Healing Help Hope These things are found in community. These 4 guys are the heroes here. The upfront people. One day it will be interesting to see who the background heroes are. #loveinaction #community #inthistogether #walkingeachotherhome #gospelofmark
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