Valentine’s Day: What is True Love

Hello Friends,

I’m sure by now you have noticed a lot or maybe some heart-shaped items around your house, maybe in the classroom, and maybe in the stores. In addition to all the heart-shaped items, you may have noticed some reoccurring colors like pink, purple, and red on almost everything and everyone. Maybe you have even noticed some heart-shaped candies or just more candy in general. (I really like the heart-shaped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup treats!) Do you know why you are seeing all this stuff, all these love related items? That’s because we just celebrated Valentine’s Day, which many of you probably celebrated at school and/or at home. What is your favorite thing about Valentine’s Day?

I was thinking about Valentine’s Day this past week, and I found myself drawn to the love of Jesus. But I was distracted a little bit. Valentine’s Day is over, but yet it is still here. It’s one thing to have these cute little cards everywhere to remind you that you are loved…And then you get candies, or these heart-shaped chocolates…and then there’s these conversation hearts with weird phrases on them…does anyone actually even eat those? And there’s these other heart-shaped candies, too! It’s everywhere! Do people even realize that this is not the actual shape of your heart? This is out of control! Oh, and don’t even get me started on the whole mushy “love is in the air” idea. It’s on commercials and posters and in songs. Not just on Valentine’s Day, either—the Hallmark channel has it year-round!

Well, you may or may not agree with me that all the romance can be overwhelming. But did you know that there are other kinds of love? It’s true! There’s love you have for your friends, love for your family, love for your pets…even love for pizza or sports! God views love as a very important thing in our lives. Jesus talks a lot about it, in fact, and how we need to love one another, and that love is not always conveyed through cards, candies, or heart-shaped things. This love can be expressed by what we do.

In fact, Jesus talked about love in this special sermon from today’s Gospel lesson. Jesus was teaching a bunch of people, and he shared with them some things about love, some of which might have been a little shocking. He said that if you were fighting with someone, you need to make peace, even before you go to church! Friendship and conflict resolution are so significant to God that He wants us to take care of arguments in order to authentically worship. In this sermon, Jesus also spoke about our heart intentions. He said that hating someone was as bad as killing them! Wow, that’s pretty serious. I mean, I certainly never murdered anyone, but to think that hating them is just as bad…

See, Jesus wants us to be genuine. We can’t just say we love God and then treat His beloved creation poorly. We demonstrate His love by our kindness to each other. And it isn’t always easy! Jesus even said that we should love people who are not nice to us and are even enemies!

That’s a lot more challenging than acting kind to our friends. How can we even do that? The truth is we can’t do it on our own…but with GOD’s help, anything is possible! Even if you don’t feel like praying for them, you ask God to help you pray.

He knows what love is, because He loves us. That’s the very best kind of love. It’s called “unconditional” love, because He loves us no matter what we do. Even if we don’t love Him back, He still cares for each and every one of us! He loves us so much, He sent Jesus to DIE for us. That’s what love looks like. We can take comfort and hope in that, and we can know that He will help us when we ask.

You see, God’s love is more than a card, it is more than wearing pink, purple, and red, and it is more than heart-shaped candies and things. And it is more than a holiday celebrated one day out of the entire year. God’s love is amazing! God’s love is wonderful! God’s love is what saves us, changes us, and restores us. God’s love is unconditional and meant for each of us.

Valentine’s Day is a special day that should be celebrated. But it’s also a day to remind ourselves how much we are loved by God, by those in our life, and how much we love Jesus. Jesus loves you this I know for the Bible tells me so.

Let us pray: Dear God, Help us to understand what love means. Help us practice it with those around us even when it is difficult, and even when we don’t feel like it! You are so amazing. Thank you for the love of Jesus. Amen!

Your Friend, Holy Spirit!

Message Borrowed from “Ministry to Children”: https://ministry-to-children.com/valentine-childrens-sermon/