Jesus' Love for us Compared to the Father's Love for Him
Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 8 2024 | John 15:9-10
KEY VERSE:
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
In John 15:9-10, Jesus reveals a profound truth about the nature of His love for us by comparing it to the love the Father has for Him. The love between the Father and the Son is perfect, eternal, and unchanging. It is a love deeply rooted in unity, intimacy, and obedience. By stating that He loves us in the same way the Father loves Him, Jesus assures us of a love that is steadfast, unconditional, and boundless. This divine love is not based on our performance or worthiness but is a gracious gift that flows from the heart of God.
Jesus calls us to remain in His love, just as He remains in the Father's love. To remain in His love means to live in a continuous, abiding relationship with Him, where His love influences and transforms every aspect of our lives. Jesus provides a clear pathway to remain in His love: keeping His commands. Obedience is not about following rules for the sake of it, but about aligning our lives with His teachings out of love and gratitude. When we keep His commands, we demonstrate our love for Him and stay connected to the source of divine love and joy.
The love Jesus has for us is transformative and empowering. As we experience His love, we are called to reflect it in our relationships with others. This love motivates us to live lives of service, compassion, and sacrifice, mirroring the love of Christ to the world. By remaining in Jesus' love and keeping His commands, we become conduits of His love, drawing others into the same abiding relationship.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Let us embrace the depth of Jesus' love for us. Let us remain steadfast in that love, and allow it to shape our lives. Let us become channels to communicate His love and kindness to others and endeavour to bring them into the same intimate relationship with Christ.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me the way you do. Thank you for showing me how to love others by following your example. Help me to continue in your love and draw others closer to you, to experience your love for themselves too. This I pray thee, for your dear names’ sake. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: LOVED ME
The phrase "loved me" comes from the Greek word "ἠγάπησεν" (ēgapēsen), which is derived from "ἀγαπάω" (agapaō). This term is often translated as "love" and signifies a profound, selfless, sacrificial love. It implies a deep, unconditional affection and commitment.
In John 15:9, Jesus speaks of the love that He has for His disciples, directly comparing it to the love that the Father has for Him. This comparison asserts that believers are loved with the same intensity and quality of love that exists within the Trinity. This divine love is not distant or abstract but deeply personal and relational. It calls believers to remain in this love, fostering a relationship with Jesus that mirrors His relationship with the Father.
Reflections:
How can you fully embrace and remain in Jesus' love, understanding it as reflective of the Father's love for Him, and how can this understanding shape your relationships and actions?
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