Sermon # 8 - Love Like Jesus Loves Series

Jesus said in Luke 6:32, "If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! (GNT)

As we continue to meditate on the questions that Jesus asked, we find these questions are relevant and life-giving even today. Most of us in general tend to love those who love us, and oftentimes our love is reciprocal or conditional. Usually we like to relate with those who relate well with us. We invite to our parties those who invite us for theirs, and give gifts to those who shower us with presents. However, in Jesus’ words as found in Luke 6:32, He is elucidating the fact that if we only love those who love us, there is no blessing in such a love or in other words it is a fruitless love. This kind of love is commonly practiced among everyone. However, the kind of love that the Lord calls us to exhibit, is the exceptional agape love, that can even embrace and love our enemies.

God’s love versus man’s love

The new commandment that Jesus gave us in John 13:34, "I'm giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you. (GW)

While the old commandment just stated that we love one another, the new commandment that Jesus taught was that we love each other just the way He loved us. This was a commandment that Jesus gave, which means that to obey is not optional, but rather an obligation for those who are His children.

The way Jesus loved His disciples

Let us look at the manner in which Jesus chose, related and loved His disciples. Peter for instance was a fisherman, who was by nature impetuous. When Jesus first met Peter, he must have been rugged, smelly, coarse in speech, but Jesus loved, and accepted him just the same. It was such a man that Jesus chose, and invited to leave his nets, follow Him, to become a fisher of men.

Then there was Simon the Zealot, who was also one of the twelve. History has it, that the Zealots were a Jewish sect that were associated with violent uprisings, and expected the coming Messiah to overthrow Rome using force. Here was a disciple of Jesus who was probably bent on a violent revolution against the Roman rule.

Jesus also chose Matthew, a tax-collector who was probably wealthy, and more refined. Having worked for the Roman Government, he would probably have had more allegiance towards them.

When Jesus chose his twelve disciples, he did so with much prayer. Realizing how these twelve came from varied backgrounds, with different personalities, there would have most certainly have been strong differences of opinion among them too. We read of times when they even quarreled, and argued as to who would be the greatest among them. However, Jesus loved all of them equally, and showed no partiality whatsoever. Since Jesus demonstrated this kind of exemplary love to His disciples, He could boldly command them to love one another, just as He had loved them.

Jesus portrayed the same unconditional love to Judas Iscariot

Jesus, the Son of God left all His glory in the heavens and came down to live on this earth. From the thousands of people who lived during His time He chose twelve men to be His disciples. He invested His time in them, showed His wonders, revealed who He was and expounded His teachings. After having received all of this from Jesus, one of them turned out to be a betrayer.

If we were to be associated with such a person like Judas Iscariot, we would have called him a double-crosser or deceiver. But, look at the way Jesus addressed Judas Iscariot.

We read in Matthew 26:50, Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then some men surged forward, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him. (ISV)

We also read in Matthew 26:49, Judas went straight to Jesus and said, "Peace be with you, Teacher," and kissed him. (GNB)

Judas Iscariot had plotted to have Jesus betrayed. He came towards Jesus to kiss Him, so that the conspirators could identify Jesus. Jesus knowing this, still looked on him with love, and addressed him as ‘Friend.’ A kiss we all know is the outward display of deep affection. When Judas kissed Jesus it was a pretentious act to cover up his evil intent. Jesus loved Judas till the very end, but eventually it was Judas who had a woeful end. This is the amazing love that Jesus demonstrated to Judas Iscariot.

Sadly, those of us who claim to be His children have gone far away from demonstrating this kind of love. Today people get even with those who have offended them through messages on their WhatsApp status and other social media. If we have the heart to get square with those who have hurt us, we must be cautioned that such an attitude does not proceed from the heart of the Lord. If we have done anything to slander or defame someone who has been unkind to us, let us seek the Lord’s forgiveness. May we ask the Lord to give us a heart just like His that can even accept those who have acted treacherously against us.