How Great a Love
The year was 269 AD and a priest named Valentine was martyred for his faith. Some might ask: “What act could a priest perform that would cause others to wish him dead?” The city where martyrdom occurred was Rome, and Saint Valentine was guilty of preaching the gospel. How dare he stand so bold within his faith! What right did this priest have to speak the gospel to the Emperor Claudius? What right did Saint Valentine have to marry Christians who were being persecuted for their faith? Historians record the actions of Saint Valentine, describing how he was imprisoned, and while there he brought healing to the jailer’s daughter who suffered with blindness.
A single man, unmarried, a priest and a saint, Valentine was a man who led by example. However, this legendary man for whom the romantic holiday is named for did not stand upon his own thoughts but upon his belief in God, who loves each person unconditionally. Today, the world will go a little crazy with its focus on romance. Just last night, the young man working the checkout where we shopped for groceries spoke of his girlfriend, the one who would ‘today’ be the recipient of a portion of his week’s paycheck as they spent the day celebrating their love for one another.
Saint Valentine probably did not fathom what this day would become when he cut tiny hearts out of paper to send to those Christians who had become married reminding them of God’s abiding love.
The young jailer’s daughter who had been healed from her blindness may not have considered the impact that would come from her received note from the priest simply signed: “Your Valentine” to remind her of God’s love.
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us,
(The First Letter of John 3: 1a NASB)
that we would be called the children of God, and such we are.”
Three persons—One Testifies.
Equal in Being. Equal in Power. Equal in Essence. Equal in Glory.
The Father—The Son & The Word—The Spirit.
Living. Powerful. Omnipotent. Eternal. Omniscient Holy God.
They bear record in heaven of the Truth of God’s Word, and this is the record concerning God’s Love and Salvation: All three persons who are ONE bear witness that God gives eternal life in and through
His Only Begotten Son.
“And there is salvation in no one else;
(The Acts of the Apostles 4: 12 NASB)
for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
So, we stand together, individually proclaiming:
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Son has risen, not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else” (C. S Lewis 1944). We are the living proof of what Jesus has done. Like Saint Valentine was the moments before he was executed for his acts of faith, we too are one mere breath away from heaven. May we keep our eyes fixed on heaven & May we keep our eyes on the world of lost souls near us as we live. Heaven will keep our hearts lifted, and the assurance of the lost one going to hell will keep our feet moving to testify.
“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
(The First Letter of John 5: 11-12 NASB)
He who has the Son has the life;
he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”
Oh, How Great a Love!
Thank you Saint Valentine for reminding us.
Thank you Savior Jesus for making the only way by which we may be saved.