I feel like there are very few weddings that take place in the US that don't include some reading from this chapter. I don't want to gloss over this. I think it is important to reflect on the this "Love never fails." Such a loaded expression
Is it the word Paul uses Here For Love is agape it's the Greek translation of the Aramaic word rahma that Jesus used to describe love. Paul is using a word that the gospel writers use based on the actions they saw Jesus Take in his ministry and teachings love was not necessarily a word that was defined in a dictionary as much as it was something they saw Jesus live out and so when Paul refers to love in this chapter he's referring to the kind of love and action that was demonstrated by Christ. There's a lot of beautiful expression here but I think the most important takeaway is that love has the capacity to surpass present circumstance when we embody the life and teachings of Christ. Jesus did not live a comfortable existence on purpose which is not to say that you and I need to take a vow of poverty or chastity or put ourselves in intentionally awkward or challenging situations it does however mean that we do not run from those circumstances because love has granted us the capacity to overcome present circumstances because in those circumstances we more identify with the teachings of our Messiah. Christ intentionally sought out those who could not repay his generosity and would constantly take up the case and the cause of the marginalized and the disenfranchised and those of us that choose to pursue this work here at Connected Church sign up for a life devoted to empowering the marginalized the disenfranchised and the impoverished in our communities because those are the individuals who put us in the position to best emulate the love of Christ.