BBD 02.14.04 Happy Valentine's Day!!
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
(Over 10,000 subscribers in 75 countries)
02.14.04
Valentine’s Day
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son
of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that
the world through Him might be saved. - John 3:14-17.
The history of Valentine’s Day is shrouded by the centuries of time. The
Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints with the name of
Valentine or Valentinus all of whom were martyred. One story tells of when
Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men believing that they made
better soldiers when they were not burdened with wives and families.
According to the story, Valentine, see how unjust this was defied the
Emperor and in secret continued to marry young lovers. When the Emperor
found out, he had Valentine executed.
>From these ancient legends which all involved great trauma and
demonstrations of love Valentine’s Day has taken on a life of its own which
centuries ago would never have been thought about. In the Philippines, the
day was celebrated setting a new world’s record with 5,122 couples all
kissing at the same time. Thousands viewed the event and cheered as they
kissed at the stroke of midnight on Friday. The Philippines has many
problems including a massive budget deficit, crime and corruption. The world
record kissing event along a 1.2-mile highway by Manila Bay was a nice break
according to Mayor Lito Atienza who said, “Let’s take a break from the
troubles we have been having, from our work, from political bickering, after
all, it’s Valentine’s Day.”
Love is still alive and well in the 21st Century although love probably had
little to do with the record kiss in Manila. Love is still alive and
celebrated most likely because real love is motivated by a love for God and
by His great example of sacrificial love. Real, Christian love once
experienced is unforgettable and has the power to change the course of
lives. Perhaps the origin of Valentine’s Day really goes back to the
sacrificial love of Jesus who died so that we would have a Savior.
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day then to in some way follow the
sacrificial example of Jesus, give up something in our lives, to show that
love, demonstrate that love to someone else. As Jesus says, “A new
commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you,
that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My
disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35)."
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Copyright © 2004. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
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