Jesus: Our Valentine ✝️

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.    Luke 8:1-3 NIV

Why would these women be motivated to support Jesus and His disciples out of their own means?

They all had one thing in common: Jesus saw them and then healed them.  Those that have been forgiven much love much.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon (the Pharisee, in whose home Jesus was eating), “Do you See this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her Great Love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”  Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”  Luke 7:44-48, 50 NIV

Yes, you Lord, God,

You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.  Job 10:12 NIV

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.  Psalms 103:2-5 NIV

Yes, it is God and God alone that does this to and for us, being both initiated by Him and done by others motivated by Him.

And so, we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.  1 John 4:16-17 NIV

For,

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  John 15:13 NIV

For this reason, among the disciples and the friends of Jesus, we see great love, care and concern for the wellbeing of each other.

… we were gentle among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.  1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 NIV

Yes!

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.  Romans 13:10 NIV

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.  2 John 1:6 NIV

So,

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.  1 John 3:18 NIV

For,

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.  Proverbs 17:17 NIV

Blessings on this Valentine’s 2021 ❣️📖✝️