Today most people are celebrating Valentine's Day in the usual way: Roses, chocolates, sweet cards, and maybe a special date. But I would guess that most people celebrate the day without ever wondering what started the day in the first place. It all began with a martyred priest named Valentine, who lived under the Roman Empire in the late 600s A.D. There are many different stories as to how and why he died, but all agree that it had something to do with his faith. When I was about eight years old, I saw a movie of his story. In that story, the priest Valentine befriends a blind orphan girl and shows her love she has never felt before. He points her to Jesus in everything he says and does. Eventually, he gives her the ultimate act of love by taking her place in a lion-filled arena.
This story is a reminder that true love is not a romantic feeling; it is a choice to show the heart of Jesus no matter the cost. Jesus chose to pay the penalty of our sin by dying on a cross over 2,000 years ago. He didn't have to die; His Father had 12 legions of angels ready to rescue Him if He would have but said the word. Yet He chose to die, because that's how much He loves us. How can we do anything less for Him?
John 15:13
"Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
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