You may not be aware that Valentine’s Day was originally a religious holiday. Pope Gelasius
1 established the holiday in 500 AD to commemorate the death of one or more early Christian
martyrs named Valentine.
The first recorded association of Valentine’s Day with romantic love was by Chaucer in 1382. Not until the mid-19th century were valentine cards mass-produced and sent to commemorate the love we feel for people who are special in our lives.
But none of these mark the first valentine offered. John 3:16 notes God so loved the world that he gave his Son to it and for it. The first valentine came in the form of the life of Jesus Christ.
Most of us can recognize the cross, with Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection as God’s gift of love to us. It is the most powerful symbol we have to remind us how much he cares for us and desires to be in relationship with us.
We also need to realize that the life Jesus lived is also part of God’s valentine to us. Jesus said he had no place to lay his head. So he can identify with and love the homeless. He often went without food and other necessities. So he can identify with and love the poor. He worked as a carpenter for most of his life. So he can identify with and love the working class.
He spent his time with those who were looked down upon by others. So he can identify and love those outside of the “in crowd.” He was tempted by wrong, so he can identify with and love those struggling to get their lives “right.”
He suffered the ordinary trials and tribulations of life, so he can identify with and love those going through them today. He suffered abuse, so he can identify with and love those abused by loved ones, strangers and even our culture.
His life is the greatest valentine you will ever receive. His suffering and death are the greatest symbols of love that exist. I pray you will take the time to meditate upon this wonderful act of love and experience His love afresh in your heart. Happy Valentines!
Previously submitted by a follower of Jesus