Human love is fraught with problems that come from our human nature–selfishness, self-centeredness and a lack of faithfulness. We say “I love you” and really mean “I love how you make me feel.” The only way we can really love is to receive the love of God and let it pass through to others. True agape love–the love that is God–is beyond our human abilities.
It intrigued me to discover that only Peter expressed his love directly to the Lord. We often talk of ‘loving Jesus’ but the Scriptures do not record many such expressions. There are many commands to love God and discussions of love, but stating love directly is a different story. You may recall that the disciple Peter saw himself as totally committed to Jesus prior to his arrest…and then he betrayed him three times. It’s also interesting to note the kiss Judas betrayed Jesus with came from ‘phileo’ love–the love that is based on shared interests. When Jesus restored Peter, he asked him: “Do you (agape) love me?” Three times Jesus asked about Peter’s love. Twice he asked Peter if we agape loved him, and Peter replied, “I phileo love you.” Finally, Jesus asked him if Peter phileo loved him. Jesus knows our limits and he agape loves us…he meets us where we are at!
The gift of love from another can give us a glimpse of the faithfulness of God’s love. Make no mistake: love matters. We are called to love and do the best we can. But true love only happens when it flows from the Creator.
We love each other because he loved us first.
If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer,[c] that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?
1 John 4:19-20
Celebrate those who love you. But most of all celebrate the One who is love and made it all possible..
Heartsong Ministries 
Billie Jo, I wrote a song years ago that went like this: “I didnt’ say ‘I do’ to you, on our wedding day–I said ‘I do’ to the fantasy of love. The way I had it pictured, it sure didn’t look like this! You’ve been messin’ up my fantasy of love.” Funny little country song, but it packs a message that flows with what you’re saying here. Also, I noticed that you quoted John. He’s the one who leaned his head on Jesus, a quiet show of affection for him. So John did not express in words, but everyone around John and Jesus knew that John was “the one Jesus loved”. I wonder how they knew that?
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That phrase…’the one Jesus loved’…reminds me to live as the beloved. I think that’s what John wanted folks to know…he lived loved. You helped me to ‘get’ that understandingall those years ago at Montrose. My head knew the words & the concept “Jesus loved me” but you showed me what it looked and felt like. Love you, Hope Flinchbaugh!
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