In the 13th chapter of his first letter to the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul writes that if he could speak the languages of both earth and heaven, it would mean nothing without love — more like the tinkling sound of wind chimes.
So much for noisy eloquence! Much the same, he writes, would be prophetic vision devoid of love. So too would be the understanding of all mysteries, and all knowledge — without love.
Loveless knowledge identifies us as mere know-alls. And if impressive, mountain-moving faith means nothing without love, then surely self-sacrifice, as in giving all one’s riches to the poor, or a willingness to become a martyr for Christ’s cause, would be the ultimate! But not so. Not without love.
So much for spectacular examples! Most of us will never do the deeds of the above. We will more likely identify ourselves as falling short of the virtues that Paul proceeds to list, which are read at weddings and other special occasions where Love is the Thing.
Paul’s inspired love poem is not one of mere sugar-coated words. Not if we grasp its depth of meaning and purpose. Maybe we should reread it, this time not as a love poem to be read at weddings, but as the Lord Jesus addressing our preference for spectacular demonstration, rather than for doing the small things that mean so much in the lives of those who are overlooked and unloved.