Love

It was said by François de la Rochefoucald that, "true love is like ghosts, which everyone talks about and few have seen." When it comes to human relationships, I would say that this is true and we are unable to exemplify a pure, selfless, undying love. I have, however, heard of and experienced a love so far beyond what I am capable of imagining or giving.

Jesus said during a Passover seder in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." Just hours later, he allowed himself to be crucified in an act of unconditional love. Pilate, the governor officiating over the trial of Jesus, determined Jesus to be without fault, yet there were Jews who still demanded he be crucified. Pilate complied. Though he was blameless, Jesus went to his death willingly, in order that people would be able to escape Hell, which is proclaimed to be the consequence of disobedience to any of the 613 Mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah. The death of this one faultless man was to replace thousands of years of sacrifice and atonement, so that people could receive grace freely.

As the imperfect human I am, I find the degree of love exemplified by Jesus to be above my capacity to comprehend or realise. I am awed by the willingness of a man, whom I've never seen, to die in order that I might not be (justly) condemned.

The love of Jesus is my model for relationships I have; however, despite my greatest attempts, I find that I still value my needs over my friends'. Though it is sometimes disheartening, I press on, seeking to align myself as much as possible with my example, and come to be honoured by the love which I am freely given. I have devoted my life to the attainment of unconditional love. I, in light of such an example, am willing to lay aside that which I naturally desire in order to honour Jesus. As Isaac Watts penned, "Love so amazing, so divine demands my soul, my life, my all."