“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love,…My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:9-10a, 12).
Many of us grew up singing, “Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so.” Well, John 15 is one of the places in the Bible that speaks of Jesus’ love for His followers. Reading and singing about Jesus’ love is easier than receiving His love in oneself.
None of us deserve God’s love. Our sins and sinful nature are enmity toward God. I do not deserve one breath or one day because the wages of my sin are death – physical and spiritual (Romans 6:23). In spite of that, God chooses to love me and the extent of that love is revealed in Jesus’ life and death.
Jesus told His disciples, “I have loved you.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes His love for His disciples and for us. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” These words of Paul give a practical sampling of how Jesus loved and still loves His followers.
Read the following aloud. “Jesus is patient with me. He is kind towards me. He is not easily angered. Jesus not only forgives me, but He also does not keep a record of my wrongdoings. He protects me. He trusts me. Jesus has the highest hopes for me, He does not give up on me. JESUS LOVES ME!”
Remaining in this level of Jesus’ love involves obeying His commands. He said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). An elementary truth of life is this: YOU CAN ONLY GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED! Jesus commands us to love others has He has loved us. An underlying command of Jesus that makes the stated command possible is: “YOU MUST RECEIVE MY LOVE FOR YOU!”
You can only obey Jesus’ command to love others as He has loved you if you receive His love for you. YOU CANNOT GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED! In fact, the level of your ability to give Jesus’ love to others reveals the level you have received Jesus’ love for yourself. If you are struggling forgiving someone who has wronged you, ask yourself, “Did this person hurt me more than I have hurt Jesus with my sin against Him?” When you become impatient with someone, remember Jesus’ patience with you.
Who do you know needs some of Jesus’ love today? It may be that you do or maybe you know of someone who struggles receiving love. Today, be reminded of this…FREELY I HAVE RECEIVED JESUS’ LOVE, FREELY I GIVE THIS LOVE TO OTHERS!