Steven A. Bush - August 23, 2026
Philadelphos
Hebrews 13:1 says: "Let brotherly love continue." (ESV) Romans 13:8-10 echoes: "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (ESV) "Brotherly love" in the Greek is Philadelphos which can also be rendered, Philadelphia. (Not to be confused with that city in Pennsylvania.) This love refers to the mutual love between children who share the same father. Certainly the greatest symbol of love in the universe is the cross. Two beams: one vertical, the other horizontal. One points to heaven and the other points to others. They remind us of the twofold Great Commandment. But these beams can feel immensely heavy at times. But WHO do we know that bore both of those beams perfectly? Jesus! And how might He help us bear them as well?
Scripture References: Romans 13:8-14, John 13:34-35, Galatians 5:13-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, 1 Peter 4:7-11