I’ve set out to learn what it means to give and receive agape love. Not just simply love. Not just friendly love. Not brotherly love. Not romantic love. But agape love.
The word agape translates simply as a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. A love with absolutely no expectations. A love that expects nor requires anything in return. A love that reaches out to the lowly, the unpopular, the unattractive, the heartbroken, the smelly, the unrighteous…. a love that simply loves without regards to the shame one carries along with them.
As I was reminded of this powerful word a few days ago, I made it my newest mission to truly uncover what it means to pass out selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love in a selfish and very conditional society.
Although it be cliche, my immediate mental example of agape love was a love so deep that led my Jesus to that rugged cross. And oh what a sweet sweet example.
John 15:13 “No greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
As I read through Jesus’ time in Gethsemane (Matthew 26) leading up to His crucifixion, I am reminded of a selfless and oh so sacrificial love. Picture this: Your Jesus- hanging there. nails in His hands and feet. spit running downs His frail body. blood streaming from His whip wounds and thorn crown.
With this image in mind all, I am swarmed with so much guilt. We are so dirty, sinful, selfish, demanding, prideful, relentless in sin, worrisome, etc. yet He chose to take the cross.
This is where the word “agape” is seen in its truest form. My savior knew me as He hung there. He knew of my future sins. He knew how impure and faulty you and I were going to be, and with this knowledge He chose to give His life.
What. A. Love.
This is the love I want to give. A love that chooses to look past the filthy and sin-infested places of people, and love that person with my whole heart.
The word agape has inspired me to LOVE BETTER. I will never be a perfect “lover”, I will never be capable of love in the sense that my Jesus had, I will never be able to tear away from my fleshly being…. but. I will strive to be more like Jesus.
This is my commitment: that even on my very worst days, I will love people well. I will go out of my way to show someone how important they are. I will love the people that are not loved. I will love the outcasts. I will love the prostitutes. I will love the murderers. I will love the broken.
Because lets face it- if Jesus was sent to die for the sinless, there would be no cross. These are the ones He died for. These are the ones He loved. He loved with an AGAPE LOVE. and I will push towards that every. single. day.
Find the word that sets your soul on fire, and relentlessly strive to embody its meaning.
