… who loved me …
Summary: Being loved is one of the most wonderful feelings a person can ever know. Being loved by God is the ultimate experience.
In 1860, a two-volume book was published with the title, “Say and Seal.” The book was authored by Susan Warner. Her sister, Anna B. Warner, was also an author and wrote a poem for her sister to use in her novel. The poem, part of the second volume, would become a famous song. You might have heard it. The first verse goes like this:
“Jesus loves me—this I know,
For the Bible tells me so:
Little ones to him belong,—
They are weak, but he is strong.”
Do you recognize the words? Chances are you do. Almost every child who has ever been to Sunday school, even once, has probably heard them.
In the story, the poem was “sung” to comfort a small child who was dying. The rest of the words tell the story of Christ’s love for us:
“Jesus loves me,—he who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let his little child come in.
“Jesus loves me—loves me still,
Though I’m very weak and ill;
From his shining throne on high
Comes to watch me where I lie.
“Jesus loves me,—he will stay
Close beside me all the way.
Then his little child will take
Up to heaven for his dear sake.”
When we talk about Jesus, it is easy to fall into the trap of legalism. Many people seem to suffer from a belief that Jesus only allows people into heaven who check certain boxes.
For example, to tamp down disagreements about the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, early church fathers wrote a formal statement called the Athanasian Creed. The creed is a long and confusing construct detailing how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are, and are not, related to each other. It ends with this intimidating statement:
“This is the catholic faith; whoever does not believe it faithfully and firmly cannot be saved.”
In other words, according to this creed, your salvation depends on your ability to “faithfully and firmly” believe what the creed says.
Got it?
According to this creed, regardless of what Jesus did on the cross and despite his love for you, if you have any doubts about what this creed says, you are spiritual toast.
The Jesus Christ I know is someone who can love the unlovable. He is more interested in who you know rather than what you know. He is willing to touch the unclean (Matthew 8:2-3) and heal them. He is the good shepherd who loves his sheep, even the sheep who are not very lovable (John 10:11). He protects his sheep with everything at his disposal, even his life.
“Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.”
Application: Know that Jesus loves you!
Food for Thought: There are different kinds of love. Some are not very nice. What kind of love does Jesus have for us, and what sets it apart from the more common types of love people employ?
A very good and touching devotion brother. Thank you.
The Scriptures often describe God’s love for us using the Greek word Agape. As probably everyone knows, Agape love refers to an unconditional, sacrificial love. God’s love for His children is as pure and complete as it gets. 1 John 4: 7 – 19.
Thank you, Rich!
The passage you reference is very appropriate. I especially like the statement at the end, “perfect love drives out fear.” Being afraid is a good indicator that we are not walking in God’s love. That doesn’t mean we are not loved, but that we are not receiving his love as well as we could.
02-29-2024, What kind of love does Jesus have for us, and what sets it apart from the more common types of love people employ?
I’m with Rich, agape love, unconditional, sacrificial love.
The world has taken this command and of course, twisted it into a distorted version of God’s love for all mankind.
“Love has no labels”, is a movement to promote acceptance and inclusion of all people across race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age and ability.” Accordingly, there is no right or wrong – just tolerance and acceptance or limited human love.
Jesus doesn’t define love according to acceptance or an emotional response, He defines love by sacrifice. The Christian’s relationship with Jesus Christ isn’t built upon our love for Him but rather, it’s built upon His love for us.
John 15:12, Jesus tells us, “This is my commandment that you love one another AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.”
Our love is and should be sacrificial. John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Which makes what Jesus says all the more interesting. He doesn’t define love in terms of passive feelings, but rather, action, sacrificial action. To follow Jesus, we are called to die to self and allow Jesus Christ to live, express His love for others through us.
Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Ephesians 4:22-24, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Thanks, Ron!
I like the distinction you make between a “feeling” and an “action.” That speaks to the heart of the matter quite well.
Great meditation Jeff!
Ron
Jeff, Thanks, very good.
Paul
Thanks Paul! 🙂