Somehow in the interpretation of Christians in Indonesia, there seems to be a hierarchy between love and compassion. In English, the hierarchy is invisible because there is only one word to describe it, love. Some of us feel that love is ephemeral, that it cannot be used to express our feelings and longings for the Creator. The opposite is seen in the Song of Songs. The feelings between two people are celebrated, even sacred.

Love has an authentic and precious value in the way humans define themselves together with others. This is seen through our reading this time. Love is portrayed as so powerful that it is even equal to death. Just as death cannot be denied by anyone, so too the power of true love cannot be stopped or avoided. Death is strong enough to make any man submit to it; love is no different.

The power of love comes, in part, from its ability to build commitment to the one it loves. This is a critique of the shallowness of love in the modern world. We tend to blur love with momentary feelings that bring comfort. So many people admit to loving but are unable to commit.

Bible friends, live in love that is celebrated with those around us. The love of someone who has tasted God's love is a love that takes risks and celebrates in warmth, even though sometimes the road to love can be hard.