A word that conjures up many complex images in our
mind. It is also a word that Hollywood conjures up some very specific images.
Role models for “love” have come from many movies and television shows over the generations.
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| Silent Film Star Rudy Valentino |
Perhaps the most talked about “love” role model of
his time was Rudy Valentino. I am guessing many people
hurt their backs imitating his kissing technique.
A later generation might argue that Clark Gable
was a popular role model. And today’s
generation could arguably claim that Leonardo diCaprio is the best role model of
our time.
Our ”love” role models come and go.
The Greeks had four words for love: Agape (fatherly love), Philo (brotherly love),
Eros (erotic love) and Storge (family
love). The movies, and our culture, tend to focus on erotic love and ignore the others.
Today’s reading is John 13:31-14:4. After the Last
Supper, Jesus is talking to his disciples. He tells them he will be leaving and that Peter will deny him. He also
gives them a new commandment.
“Love one another. As I have loved
you, so you must love one another.”
The disciples were probably confused at this
point. This sounded an awful lot like, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” a law
of the Old Testament.
But this was different. The disciples were to love
others as Jesus loved them. Jesus was telling them, effectively, that he would
be their role model for love!
How did Jesus love people? Let me count the ways ….
He fed them, he healed them and he spoke wisdom to
them. He prayed for them, he raised some from the dead and he comforted
them. He gave them rest, he encouraged
them and he told them the way to glory.
Most of all, however, Jesus showed his love by
taking on our sins and dying on the cross. Jesus’ love, as demonstrated by
actions, assures us that we will be with him in Heaven.
Jesus is the greatest role model for love that
transcends the generations!
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