Loving Like Jesus Loved

Sunday, we were blessed to hear an excellent sermon by David Curry on “Loving One Another.” (Incidentally, it was great to see his 94-year-old father, Melvin, who was one of my Bible professors at Florida College.)

After explaining and illustrating the four Greek words for love and the basis for the command to “love one another.” David shared Jesus’ admonition from John 13:34-35.

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

So, if we love like Jesus, how do we love others?

#1 Love Unconditionally.

Jesus loved people regardless of their background, reputation, social status, ethnicity, or failures.

He shocked the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) by showing her respect, kindness, and engaging in meaningful conversation with her. He lovingly and gently revealed the truth to her about the nature of worship and His identity.

Jesus demonstrated his love for tax collectors and sinners by eating with them (Lk. 19:1-10). And He expressed his love for the rich, young ruler, even though this man was unwilling to commit to following him.

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

We are called to love like Christ. To love unconditionally. That doesn’t mean we compromise our convictions or condone sin, but we can love like Jesus did.

#2 Love Sacrificially.

Jesus’ sacrifice is most evident in his willingness to leave the splendor of heaven and live on earth as a man. To forgo comfort, convenience, and material advantages. To give of his time. To endure hardship. And to suffer rejection, humiliation, and physically excruciating pain on the cross.

John, the apostle of love, wrote, “We know love by this, that He laid His life for us” (1 Jn. 3:16).

When we love “as He loved, we willingly sacrifice our own preferences, pride, and comfort for the sake of our friends, family, brethren, and even non-Christians. Thus, Paul would exhort in Ephesians 5:2, “Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

#3 Love Forgivingly

There are at least five specific instances where Jesus forgave sins.

The Paralyzed Man (Matt. 9:2–7). Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven,” before healing him physically.

The Sinful Woman, who anointed Jesus’ feet (Lk. 7:36–50), Jesus told her, “Your sins are forgiven…Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1–11). Jesus forgave her when he said, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

On the Cross, He forgave His executioners (Lk 23:34). Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

The Thief on the Cross (Lk 23:39–43). Jesus forgave and promised him, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

If we love like Jesus, we will forgive those who sin against us, hurt us, and cause us harm. So, we’re admonished to “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).

Augustine of Hippo described the love of Jesus and our response to it when he wrote, ”What does love look like? It has the hands to help others, the feet to hasten to the poor and needy, the eyes to see misery and want, and the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”

May our prayer be that of Francis of Assisi, who prayed, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman