| Cross Words: All We Need Is Love |
Richard Prow ~ rpcrosswords@gmail.com
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If you’re looking for a good definition of the word love you can bypass Webster’s and turn to the thirteenth chapter of the book of 1 Corinthians. The second paragraph of that particular piece of the bible starts out with, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” It has become required reading it seems at most weddings.
If however you’re looking not for a def inti on of the word love but rather an illustration, the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke is where you’ll want to browse. Located in that chapter are 3 of Jesus’ most famous parables. The ‘Lost Sheep’, ‘The Lost Coin’, and ‘The Lost Son’ all give a vivid picture of the love God has for a fallen humanity. These 3 stories prove that love is more of a verb than a noun.
The story of the lost sheep indicates that love is tireless. Shepherds, when looking for a lost sheep, must continue on their search without sleep, without food, and without concern for their own life. It is with that same fervor that God seeks to rescue just one of His lost children. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” (John 10:11).
Real love is timeless. The ‘Lost Coin’ tells of a woman giving no regard to hours or days in her quest to find a lost piece of silver. She searches with great care and unbridled energy to retrieve something of great value. The Lord “is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:10).
The lost son realized as we should that love is limitless. There was no sin grievous enough, no geographical gap wide enough, no time period long enough to keep from discovering the forgiveness and love of a father waiting patiently for his son to come to his senses and come back home. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim 1:15).
In order to fully understand the meaning of the word love, a close walk with God is required. He is love personified afterall. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). All we really do need is love - the love of God for us. When we grasp and receive that love we are better equipped to understand it’s true meaning and thereby illustrate it in our own lives.
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