My daughter and I recently shared a life long experience together, we got tattoos. This experience was planned out for about a year leading up to her eighteenth birthday, and we got inked about a week ago. Reia got some beautiful Hillsong United lyrics down her back in her own handwriting that says “if you gave your life to love them so will i.“ I got a Polynesian tribal arm band that features  Love God Love Others.” 

There are many meaningfully elements in the tattoo, but reading todays scripture really highlights a part that I get to see every time I look down at my arm. I put a small band at the bottom of the tattoo that has a single dot under Love Others and three dots under Love God. The single dot is a reminder to remember the one. The three dots is the reminder of the Holy Trinity. 

“Are you really showing true love by only loving those who love you back? Even those who don’t know God will do that. Are you really showing compassion when you do good deeds only to those who do good deeds to you? Even those who don’t know God will do that.” - ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:32-33‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Jesus’ words here are clear and very challenging to his newly selected followers. Love others is an active posture, and requires reaching outside our comfort zones and honestly is really messy. 

A few verses before, as Jesus started off his sermon we see this:

“I promise you that as you experience these things, you will celebrate and dance with overflowing joy. And the heavenly reward of your faith will be abundant...”

‭‭- Luke‬ ‭6:23‬a ‭TPT‬‬

Jesus promises joy in the midst of pouring out our lives to others, and serving others. We will see those rewards this side of heaven, and also the other side of heaven. This equation isn’t natural, its supernatural. 

I went to the extreme and had a massive reminder of this permanently tattooed on my body because I desire to be reminded of this regularly. I passionately want to follow Jesus, but often wander off course, and need reminding. 

Let me leave you with more words from Jesus:

“When did we see you with no place to stay and invite you in? When did we see you poorly clothed and cover you? When did we see you sick and tenderly care for you, or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least important of these my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me.’” - Matthew‬ ‭25:38-40‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Lord, give us the eyes to see and with will to respond to those you put in our path today that need the love of Jesus.