The Easter season ushers into existence the wonder and beauty of new life. Trees don elaborate flowers of every size and hue. The rays of the sun sparkle in prisms of colors on ordinary objects of glass, metal, and bodies of water big and small. Easter is also the most sacred time of the Christian faith, because it magnificently reminds us that God, incarnate in Jesus, was resurrected after being executed on the cross. The purpose of the divine incarnation was to show humankind a radiantly new way to live out the definition of agape love – an unconditional love of others. This writing will center on the gospel of John and the agape love present in it.
In the darkness just before the light of dawn, Mary Magdalene, who had poured expensive ointment on the head of Jesus at a dinner the previous week, came to the tomb where Jesus had been laid by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both secret disciples of Jesus who publicly did the act of burial. Joseph donated his new tomb and Nicodemus donated about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes to spread between the strips of linen that were wrapped around the corpse of the beloved teacher. This was their commitment to a person who now seemingly could do nothing for them. This was agape love. Their inward commitment to Jesus was expressed openly. After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb to give the body of Jesus a proper Jewish burial. Her presence at the site and that of the other women later was an act of agape love. This plan of burial preparation would have been the third such act of agape love related to the burial of Jesus, but it never happened. When Mary arrived at the tomb, the huge stone had been removed from the entrance. Consternation and more shattering heartbreak warred within her, and she hastily returned to the place where the disciples were huddled in fear and exclaimed hysterically that they (perhaps, the high priest and his cohorts) had taken the body to an unknown location.
It was agape love that brought Mary to the tomb. Not the Hollywood love, but the love that is a commitment to another to do that which benefits that person without expectation of benefit to oneself. Agape is not a feeling but a commitment. The other person may or may not appreciate one’s efforts, but the commitment, the agape love, is constant. Mary’s mission was grounded in her love and honor for her teacher. When Mary shared what she had seen at the burial site, despite their fear and the shame of their betrayal, Peter and John dashed to the tomb. Inside they saw the head cloth and linen strips in place as though someone had just removed sleeping garments. The head cloth was at the top of the stone slab; The linen strips were where a body would have been. John saw and believed. Peter was dumbfounded. But agape love had brought them to see the marvel of resurrection. The two men then raced off to inform the other disciples. They left Mary.
Mary Magdalene stood just outside the entry of the tomb weeping in grief. She peeked inside and saw two radiant beings; they asked why she was crying. Mindlessly, she answered them and turned from the entry to walk away. A man that she had not previously seen and whom she assumed was the gardener, asked her that question again, “Why are you crying?” Again, with a quivering voice Mary answered and in desperation pleaded with him to tell her where the body was, and she would get it. The man said, “Mary.” In that utterance agape encountered Agape. Resurrection!
Reflections
Definition:
Agape is selfless and unconditional love for fellow human beings. It is a commitment to do right by others. In Christian theology, agape is God’s love for humankind; divine love.
Question:
How do you act out agape love in:
Your family?
Your workplace?
Your neighborhood?
Response to the news headlines?
Text:
Kendrick, Stephen and Alex Kendrick. The Dare Love. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2008.
The truth is this: love is not determined by the one being loved but rather by the one choosing to love. Kendrick, p. 46.
Dorothy Watson Tatem, D.Min., ACC
Senior Associate
Next Step, LLC
Cassandra W. Jones, Ed.D.
CEO & President
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