Advent: Love
When the New Testament writers described God as Love they had a wide variety of words to choose from in the Greek language. They could have just referred to the passionate, romantic love of ‘eros’ (Εροσ) to describe the Bridegroom who came to make covenant with His Bride to be. They could have simply chosen the ‘phileo' (Φιλἐω) love of companions that pursues happiness for both parties. They also could have stuck with ‘storge’ (Στοργή) love as a way of illustrating the nature of God’s natural affection toward us as a parent for a child.
However, the writers did something so beautiful and remarkable. They used a word that was not used elsewhere in their culture to describe the unique nature and character of God as love and loving. They used the word ‘agape’ (Ἀγάπη) which takes on the most noble meaning of love in the Greek language and beyond. Agape is called out of ones heart by the preciousness of the object loved. Agape is not kindled by merit or worth of it’s object, but rather it originates in it’s own God-given nature. God is Agape.
Kevin Weaver defines Agape love as, “A God kind of Love that always contends for the highest possible good in every situation and keeps contending until it’s a present-tense reality.”
In a world filled with many different definitions of love, varying demonstrations of those loves, and more pursuit of lust than love, we must take a moment to stop at the manger in this season, and always, to root ourselves in the truth, freedom, hope, and healing of Agape.
Christ Jesus fully reveals this Agape love in the incarnation (His becoming and being human). He contends for the goodness of God in every situation, including and most evidently through the crucifixion, and then continues to contend through the resurrection. Jesus is Agape in the flesh, revealing the Father’s intent for all people to know Him and join in the love that God is and has.
In this season of rushing, consumerism, and desiring what is best for me, we must stop at the manger to recognize the first coming of Agape love and the beauty of His contending in our lives for the highest good. When we recognize this, we can align ourselves with this Agape and contend for the highest possible good in the lives of those around us.
This turns our gift giving into actual giving of gifts to those around us. This transforms our dreaded holiday work parties into opportunities to be presently engaged with God’s goodness. This shifts our perspective of grief in this season to receive the Agape love of God in the midst of losses.
Beloved, His love has come, His love is present, and His love will continue to contend for your highest good. Rest in this Agape love, for this love is God and He’s calling you to Him. Maybe, well find that being with Him is the highest possible good. Amen.
