October 12, 2021 -Reflections on “Loving Others Like Jesus!”

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. John 13:34.

God created a family when He created Adam and Eve. So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female, He created them. Genesis 1:27. In the creation of families, we learn to love one another, and this is where each new generation learns.

How should our words, decisions, and actions reflect our relationship with Christ Jesus? What is the key element that brought Jesus to earth? Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. I John 4:8.

Everything God created, He used in teaching us about His love. The stars in the sky, every dawning of a new day, and the shower of blessings reveal how He planned and prepared for us. Why? He loves us with abandon. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. Jesus died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins. When God raised His Son on the third day, believing in God and His Son, Jesus, provides hope and the Gift of Grace leads to eternal life.

What is the essence of this great love? Compassion. Jesus responded to the needs of those who suffer by making the sick well, and the blind to see. In that hour, He healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind, He bestowed sight. Luke 7:21.

Jesus showed respect to all of life God created: – He respected and valued women. As He drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, Arise,” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Luke 7:12-15.

-Jesus respected children. And they were bringing children to Him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them. Mark 10:13-16.

– Jesus respected the poor and those in need. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19.

– Jesus listened with tender understanding. He responded with patience and thoughtfully. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7. With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3-4.

-Jesus encouraged others to love. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:3-9.

The beatitudes that Jesus taught, tells us what loving others looks like in loving and serving others.

Jesus called his disciples, one by one, and they were not perfect. In Mark 10 is recorded a plea of sitting on either side of Jesus, in His glory. This created ill feelings among the other disciples. I know James and John didn’t expect this answer, “and whoever would be first among you must be a slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:44-45.

At the last supper, the love and humility in Jesus became apparent. Even for those who would betray and deny Him. When He had washed their feet and put on His outer garments and resumed His place, He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. John 13:12-16.

The way that He loves, Is as pure as a rose, Much sweeter He grows, Each day. (Elmo Mercer).

Each day dawns with new mercies from our Lord. And this love we find in Jesus is perfected day after day. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24. Living each day for Him provides strength and clarity of our vision to love as Jesus loves, thinking of others first.

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. I John 4:17-18.