What is love?

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NKJV

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; [5] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; [6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails.

There was a pop song in the 80's - "What is love? Does anybody love anybody anyway?"

Born out of the cynicism and materialism of that time, it asked questions for which we all crave answers.

Actually "love" gets equated too much with the sensuous, when it is the engine oil that drives all meaningful relationships.

It's not an ooey-gooey feeling, but it is a hard graft of the will at times.

It's patience when waiting for a doctor's appointment, longsuffering in illness, shutting up when you'd rather have a rant, forbearing with someone's irritating habits.

It's covering over the hurts of the past and going the extra mile in serving someone.

Jesus Christ is the source of that love (our own "engine oil" gets silted up with selfishness and is tainted).

Jesus' pure love enables and empowers our wretched souls... His example is supreme...

John 13:3-5 NKJV

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, [4] rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. [5] After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

Jesus not only spoke love but fleshed it out in the midst of the dirty, sweaty feet of His disciples.

Even in the agony of Gethsemane, He stayed and deliberately waited for His arrest, leading to His Crucifixion.

That was true love incarnate.

Now, when the "rubber hits the road" in our own lives, He's there washing the dirty feet of our stress and depressions, our doubts and fears.

What is love? That, my friends is love...

He EVER LIVES to make precious prayers for us and support us through our trials.

He is the One who loves...forever and always...

Selah