The Phantom of the Opera is one of the greatest musical hits of all time. Since 1986, when it opened in London’s West End, it has become one of the longest running shows in theatrical history. Productions of the musical have been performed all around the world. It has made a fortune for its creator, Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Huge interest surrounded the opening of the sequel to Phantom earlier this year. The new musical, Love Never Dies, features the characters from the previous story including the Phantom himself and the great love of his life, Christine Daae.

Does love never die? Certainly, our interest in love is unending. Love is mysterious, evocative, desirable. We long to experience powerful love – that never ends or leaves us.

In practice, though, what’s our experience of love? Romance grows cold, marriages suffer and break down because the passion goes out of them. Even the strongest friendships can fall apart. What is love anyway?

Jesus said “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”. He then demonstrated love like that, by dying for us on the cross. He gives us His Spirit now so we can know His love.

Have you experienced this dying – but ever living and everlasting – love?

See also: Information overload
Sexed out?
True believers

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