Jesus Wants to Be Your Valentine

Next month we celebrate Valentine’s Day. When I was young, I would peer into my decorated shoe box at the end of the school day to see who in my class had given me a valentine. Back then, students weren’t required to give a Valentine to everyone. We counted our cards to see who had the most and thus was the most popular student.

Our valentines rarely came with candy in the envelope, maybe a conversation heart if we were lucky. As a result, without candy to sort and unwrap, I would take the time to read each and every preprinted card with the student’s name hastily scrawled on the bottom. The name either brought elation or disappointment.

“Really? David wants to be my valentine? Not with the way he treats me on the playground!”

Over the decades, I have seen this holiday has become more elaborate. Restaurants now have fully booked reservations. Roses sell at a premium. And thanks to Parks and Recreation, a new holiday has emerged on February 13, Galentine’s Day, a day for women to celebrate their friendship.

With this time of year so focused on love, I think about a question that Jesus was asked. Of all of the commandments, which one is the most important? I think we are all familiar with Jesus’ reply, to love the Lord and to love our neighbor. (See Mark 12:28-31) However, have you ever stopped to consider how those listening would have felt about his answer?

Would they have been shocked? Surprised? Confused?

I have no idea what their reaction was, but I imagine it might have something more along the lines of, “That’s it?”

You see, Jesus’ answer is the core element of the Jewish faith, the Shema. Given to the Children of Israel by Moses as they were about to enter the Promised Land, the Shema is a declaration of faith also known as a prayer. It was recited every morning and every night, from childhood until death.

I won’t go into great detail about it here, (I have just posted a video about it on my YouTube channel) but basically the Shema is considered to be a pledge of faith to love God with all of your heart, soul, and strength. In Jesus' answer, he added a new one—your mind. Let’s look at each one by considering the Greek translations of each word.

Heart – center of spiritual life, passions, desires, appetites

Soul – what makes your body alive, doesn’t dissolve upon death

Strength – ability, might

Mind – knowledge and understanding

Seeing them altogether, it seems to me like Jesus is saying, “Love God with all of your passions, energy and abilities, but also love God because you know Him and understand Him.”

The beautiful thing is that as we get to know Jesus, we are getting to know the Father. Jesus did not do anything contrary to the Father—but more on that in my next newsletter.

Until then, I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day next month. I hope your shoebox is full of cards written by people who want to be your valentine. Most of all, I hope you feel the greatest love of all, God’s love.

With love,

Heather Ruth Pack

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I just filmed a video where I explain what the Shema is in more depth. I also consider what Christians can learn from the Shema and how to apply it into their lives.

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