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Jesus did many things when He walked on the earth. He did everything He saw His Father do. He spoke truth, brought His light into a dark world and worked miracles. He healed, delivered and resurrected people. He represented Father God in this world and spoke as He would speak. Even with His death and resurrection He saved us. It was all absolutely miraculous and without parallel. However, the most extraordinary thing He demonstrated, was how to love people unreservedly.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35 (ESV)

Recently, Holy Spirit set it in my heart to love like Jesus does. I mean, how is that even possible???

Jesus loved the reviled. He loved and healed the lepers in a time when it was unlawful to touch them. He displayed the importance of kindness and care in the face of rigid rules and regulations. Jesus risked losing His own reputation and rights to walk about freely by ministering to lepers. He exemplifies selflessness.

Jesus loved the enemy. Bringing truth freedom and liberty to the Samaritan woman and her whole town. Back then it was taboo for a man to speak to a woman privately. Politically, Samaritans and Jews disliked one another and usually, Jews would walk the long way to avoid going anywhere near Samaria. Jesus showed He was more interested in salvation than any intolerance of that time. He pointed out the gospel is for everyone and has the power to save all. Jesus was willing to break the conventions and rules of the day.

Jesus loved the poor, the widow, the orphan, the prostitute, the helpless. He showed love, mercy and support to those who could never repay his kindness. He chose to be with them, eat with them and care for them, forsaking impressive meals with important people. He showed us that serving others is greater than being served.

While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us on a cross. He sacrificed himself for us so we can live.

And amazingly,

We love because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19 (NIV)

God is love. Without Him there would be no love. This is astounding – without God we are incapable of love. Love would not exist. When we pause to think about it, without love our very existence would be deprived of joy, care, and kindness because these are inexplicably linked to love. How dark a world it would be without love.

So how do we love like Jesus? We are selfless rather than selfish. We think of others first. We serve, instead of wanting to be served. We care and help others. We risk our reputations by hanging out with sinners and love them in lieu of seeking our own sense of status. We help people who will never be able to return the favour. We are the hands and feet of Jesus and shine His light in the darkness.

To find out how Jesus lived, I recommend you read the Gospels. Make a date with God and come to church and fellowship with other Christians. Praise and worship God and spend time in prayer.

I hope you find yourself in church this week.

I hope you have enjoyed this post. If you would like to review, subscribe or comment, please complete the section below. Alternatively, if you would like to message me directly, you can at admin@jesus4generations.com. God bless you and your family.

Resources:

Acts 1:8 NIV – But you will receive power when the – Bible Gateway

1 john 4:19 NIV – We love because he first loved – Bible Gateway

The Samaritan Woman and Our Barrier-Smashing Savior (thegospelcoalition.org)