From Our Minister: February 2008

A new command I give you:
Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another.

John 13:34-35 (TNIV)

How many languages do you speak?

I’m always amazed when I meet people who not only speak English and Armenian fluently, but also Turkish, Arabic and French!  A friend gave me a hard time once for only being able to speak one language (I had  forgotten most of my Russian and my Spanish was sub-par).  He spoke Farsi, German, French and Spanish, and was working on Japanese.

How many languages do you speak?

Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another the way He loved them.  How many “love languages” did Jesus “speak?”

He spoke the language of sacrificial giving, as He gave His life on the cross, but before that, His incarnation—His becoming a human being spoke volumes of sacrificial, humble love.  He also spoke the language of time as He demonstrated His love.  He spent three years walking with His disciples on the dusty roads of Palestine.  Jesus’ words of truth and affirmation demonstrated His love for us.  Jesus’ touch to those who needed healing and His humble acts of service, like washing His disciples’ feet, all spoke His love eloquently.

Which “love language” do you speak most often?  Which one do you hear and understand most clearly and personally?  I ask this question to every couple I have the privilege of helping prepare for marriage.  Most of us are at least bilingual when it comes to receiving love from others.  Which are yours?  Which do you speak most fluently?

Each of us can and must communicate our love for each other.  As we approach Valentine’s Day and enter the season of Lent, be sure to      demonstrate the love of Christ to each other in as many different dialects as possible.  This way, everyone will know that Jesus is our Lord and  Master and we are His followers.