Consider the love of Jesus

Luke 6.27-36

               Jesus spoke to change our hearts toward those who are difficult to love, who have offended us, or have harmed us. He called us to love them. But I say to you who hear, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you (Luke 6.27). This is not always easy. Our natural response is to turn away, to ignore, to avoid, and to not care about them. How are we then to love, to do good, to bless others when we do not feel like it?

               Consider Jesus. We who were condemned because of sin, alienated from the Eternal God because of blind sightedness, incapsulated in self and desires for sinful living, caring nothing about the Lord or His Word, Jesus loved. We were His enemies, for all who reject the name of Christ, all who selfishly live apart from the Lord, all who care nothing for the Scriptures are His enemies. Still, Christ loves us, even though we were His enemies. Jesus came to do good for us. He did not have to die on the cross, redeem us from sin, or make the way for us to have peace with God. But this He did, because He loves us. He has blessed us greatly. In salvation the Lord has given to us everything we need for life and godliness, promised to us an eternal inheritance, and brought us into a relationship with the Father by which we have been adopted into His family. Though we abused His Name, Jesus now prays for us, interceding for us at the Father’s right hand. The Lord continues shepherding us, caring for us, protecting us, helping us through every event, every storm, every difficulty, every joy, and every moment of life. Though once enemies of Christ, now because of His great love we have been redeemed; we are His; and we have hope for today as well as eternity. May we remember that those around us are just like us, in need of a Savior. Regardless of how they respond to us, might we be willing to demonstrate the love of Christ, the goodness of Christ, the blessing of Christ, and the hope of Christ.

Focusing on Jesus – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry