In a world where love is often portrayed as a fleeting emotion, a romantic feeling, or something that comes and goes with moods and moments, the life of Jesus shows us something far deeper: real love is willing to suffer. It is not afraid of pain, criticism, or sacrifice because it puts the well-being of others above itself.
We see this clearly in the Gospels. Jesus healed on the Sabbath and for that, he was criticized, judged, and even hunted by the Pharisees and religious leaders. Why? Because he chose compassion over rules. He chose people over popularity. Jean Vanier (Founder of L’Arche) regarding love observes: “To love someone is to show to them their beauty, their worth, and their importance.”
This same Jesus would walk the road to the cross out of love for us, not because it is convenient, but because it is necessary. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
Various Attitudes toward such a wonder
Not everyone was moved by this wonder of love. The Pharisees, for instance, did not see the heart behind Jesus’ actions. They only saw rules being broken. They closed themselves off to this miracle of compassion simply because they expected God to act according to their own standards or to follow their tradition and schedule. And, they even warned Jesus to choose other days of the week for his healing ministry. But love does not wait for a “better day.”
Jesus, on the other hand, did not stop loving, even when it cost him his reputation. He did not need applause. He came to heal. And in doing so, the Messiah teaches us that real love can handle being misunderstood. Real love absorbs criticism and keeps going. Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said: “Love, to be real, must cost. It must hurt. It must empty us of self.”
What is your love enduring?
We see sacrificial love every day, often in quiet, unnoticed ways. Think of a mother who wakes up countless times at night to care for her sick child. Or a father who works long hours at a difficult job, not for himself, but so his children can go to school. They don’t do it for praise, but simply because they love and will the good of their loved ones.
Or think of a true friend, the kind who shows up when everyone else disappears. When you are heartbroken, they do not just send a message they come visiting. They do not ask, “Is this easy?” They ask, “Is this needed?” Because that is what love does.
That is the kind of love we are called to reflect, not shallow, emotional love that gives up at the first inconvenience, but deep, resilient, sacrificial love that endures, even when it hurts. We do not have to die on the cross, but we can still love like Christ by not giving up at the slightest provocation and thereby showing that love is stronger than suffering.
For Jesus did not stay in the tomb. Rather his love brought resurrection. When we love like him, sacrificially, faithfully, even painfully, we become part of his resurrection story.
