What does love look like?

When I wrote the first draft of the youth-fiction novel, The Blessing Effect, over 15 years ago, the issues of racial equality were not on the forefront like they are today. If I were writing the story today I would have included a scene showing that particular struggle - especially as relates to a school setting. Then, in the midst of that condition one may ask, “What would Jesus do?” Not in a rhetorical way. Rather, for real - “What would Jesus do?”

I am reminded of the scenes in the Gospels where Jesus bucks the traditions and the norms of the day and reaches out to anyone and everyone to show God’s love. Jesus could be with a religious leader in the dark of night, or a prostitute in the morning, or a drunkard in the middle of the day. He could be with a rich person, or a poor person, a Jew or a gentile (and even a Samaritan woman) - and his actions and motives were the same… Love. You see it didn’t matter what the gender, social status, race or ethnicity that the person was or held… Jesus loved each soul with the same level of compassion and care.

In fact, Jesus took this to the extreme. When He died on the cross, it wasn’t for a particular race, religion or type of person. He died for all mankind. He reached out and cared for all mankind. He forgave all mankind. He did not hold a record of wrongs against anyone. He did not hold back a single ounce of love.

So, if you are looking at today’s heightened activity surrounding racism and acceptance, and asking the question, “What does love look like?” - then I would humbly suggest that you look to the example that Jesus provided.

Love. Love all mankind - no matter the cost!