We’d venture to say that love carries as many shades of meaning as there are shades of color — 18 decillion by some estimates. That’s 18 followed by 33 zeros. From the feelings we as children have for a parent to the first spark of romance as an adolescent to the deep respect and admiration for a lifelong friend or partner, love is understood on some level by all of us, and misunderstood by all of us, too.
Is there a word to describe the shade or color of Jesus’ love? The word that comes closest is probably “agape” — an ancient Greek word that represents the highest form of charity or the love of God for humankind and vice versa.
Jesus showed this kind of love through acts of selflessness and kindness, not only toward family and friends but also toward strangers and enemies. He commanded his disciples to “love one another, as I have loved you.” In essence, Jesus asked his closest followers to mimic the love he’d demonstrated to them toward others. Shortly before his death, he washed the feet of his disciples, including Judas Iscariot, who would betray him, to show that those who are willing to sacrifice and serve others are considered the greatest in the eyes of God. 
As we considered the love of Jesus and this word agape, it struck us that the closest we, as humans, come to understand this love of God is probably through our family experiences — parent to child and child to parent. And this was the inspiration behind our commercial, “Unconditional.” What parent hasn’t stayed up all night with a sick child or spent hours helping with homework? We thought about parents who raise and care for a child with disabilities and special needs long into their adult years. Or adult children who change jobs and move thousands of miles to care for their aging parents.
This is the love Jesus taught. Selfless love that doesn’t come with any conditions nor require anything in return. Hopefully, this commercial will honor those who sacrificed tirelessly for us and inspire each of us to “go and do likewise.”
