Daily Lesson for Wednesday 12th of August 2026
As we read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we may feel frustrated at realizing that, to a lesser or greater degree, we fall short of displaying all those features of love. Likely, Paul had the person of Jesus in mind when writing 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Indeed, only Christ perfectly revealed all those characteristics of love. Thus, ultimately, Paul’s portrayal of love is a portrait of Jesus.
Read John 13:1,34; John 15:9,12; 1 Timothy 1:14; 2 Timothy 1:7,13; 1 John 3:16; and 1 John 4:7-12,19-21. What can we learn about love from these passages?
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God is love (1 John 4:8). He loves us so much that He gave His only Son (John 3:16). Jesus is the full expression of this love (Hebrews 1:3). If we want to know how love expresses itself, we must take a long look at Jesus. If we pay close attention to the portrayal of Jesus in the New Testament, we will realize that all the positive features of love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 are seen in Him.
Jesus is patient. “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience [makrothymia]” (1 Timothy 1:16, NIV).
Jesus is kind. The Bible says that “the Lord is kind” (1 Peter 2:3, LEB). The word “Lord” in this passage refers to Jesus. The term “kind” renders the Greek word chrēstos, which comes from the same root as the verb chrēsteuomai (“to show kindness”) in 1 Corinthians 13:4.
Jesus rejoices in the truth. Jesus experienced joy as He followed the will of the Father and felt His love for Him (John 15:9-11, John 17:12-14).
Jesus bears/endures all things. Hebrews 12:2-3 says that Jesus “endured the cross. . . . [He] endured such hostility from sinners against Himself” (NKJV). Nobody has endured so much as Jesus (Philippians 2:8). He did this for the joy set before Him!
Jesus believes all things. When Ananias questioned the genuineness of Paul’s conversion (Acts 9:13-14), Jesus answered, “He is a chosen instrument of mine” (Acts 9:15, ESV). Jesus sees people not only as they are but as they will become through His power.
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What are other ways that Jesus reveals to us what true love really is? |
