Who's the Real Valentine?

WHO’S THE REAL VALENTINE?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

Long ago, people believed that birds paired off in mid February. Today we exchange cards expressing love or friendship for one another on February 14th in the USA.

One February 14th in year 269, a young man named Valentine was executed in Rome for his faith. What does our exchange of gushy love cards have to do with a third-century martyr (MAR-tyr means a victim who suffers for a belief).

Around the same time, there were other men with the name Valentine who were also suffering for living their beliefs. Several ancient Christians mentioned the name of a Roman Valentine. Some say that he had a tender heart as a young man, and came to the aid of people who were being martyred.

His work got him arrested and thrown in prison—where he converted to Christianity. He refused to reject his newly-found faith in Jesus Christ, and was sentenced to die for it. He wrote letters to everybody he knew before he was tortured, beaten with clubs, and finally beheaded. He had signed the letters, “Remember your Valentine.” A city gate on the Flaminian Way, and a chapel were named after him.

Another legend was about a Valentine who was a Roman priest. Rebelling against the Emperor Claudius, he secretly married couples so that the man wouldn’t have to go to war. Yet a different Valentine was another Roman priest who refused sacrificing to pagan (PA-gan means false) gods. While in prison for this, he is said to have given testimony about God, and prayed for a jailor’s daughter to be healed. On the day of his execution, he left a note signed, “Your Valentine.”

Whoever is the person responsible for this love holiday in the deepest part of winter, Jesus is Who really teaches us how to love and be a true friend. He offers His followers complete love, regardless of who they are, what they’ve done, or where they’ve been. He does not qualify His love on conditions. He doesn’t reject people because of their values. He takes the lead by reaching out to us in love first—just the way we are.  

Take Home Nugget

We are not worthy of Jesus’ love. Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was not worthy of Jesus’ love, either. And yet, even as Judas brought armed guards to Gethsemane to arrest Jesus, Jesus called him, “Friend.” (Matthew 26:47-50).

Jesus, my perfect Valentine!

Blessed sweet communion, what love divine!

Jesus, a true friend of mine!

J.D. Griffith

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