“Abundant love on Display”
For many it was just another day of the week. The Jews were preparing for Passover and this created excitement and a degree of chaos. The Romans simply viewed this day as another work day. Jerusalem was quickly filling up with people as they traveled into the city to offer their sacrifice.
Many heard the stories about Jesus and His miracles. Some even continued to follow Him but so many turn away when His teachings became difficult. When the teachings of Jesus threatened their comfort and didn’t conform to what they wanted they made a decision to look for another Messiah.
But on that one Friday afternoon before the Passover. God’s abundant, perfect and eternal love was on display. Jesus willingly gave His life for all. Every person who passed by the cross mocking and laughing. The soldiers who drove the nails deep into His feet and hands. Those who agreed and yelled out crucify Him! Jesus gave His life for everyone, no one is excluded.
1 John 4:7-10
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
These words written by the Apostle John the one whom Jesus loved. They are filled with such power, hope and instructions. So much of John’s writing talks about the abundant love of Jesus. I am sure as John writes these words he is remembering the time he spent with Jesus. The moment Jesus called him away from a life of fishing to a life of ministry. The times he watched Jesus embrace those who the world cast aside. Maybe his thoughts wandered back to the upper room when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples including Judas who would later betray Jesus. But ultimately we can read in today’s scripture John was recalling the crucifixion. Jesus gave His life so that we might have eternal life! That Friday God’s abundant love was on display!
You see love is not something we talk about. It is something we need to display like Jesus. People will know that you are His disciple by the way you love others! John makes it clear those who do not love do not know God! When we make a decision to follow Jesus (place our faith in Him), we are given His Spirit. His Spirit is producing His love in us and through us. John is simply stating the obvious, if you know Jesus (truly know Him) His love will be on display through you!
My friends life is to short to take a chance. Is the love of Jesus on display in your life? Of course there will be moments we miss the mark but it should be the exception. Our lives should display the love of Jesus living in us.
Do people know that you are a disciple of Jesus because of your words or because they see the love of Jesus in you?
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