As part of my daily devotions, I am using the writing prompts I
found at 365 Bible
Journaling. For each prompt, I find a scripture that relates to the topic
and then prayerfully write about what I feel God is saying to me. I find the
process both challenging and fulfilling.
Recently the prompt was “How can I be more loving this year?” I immediately thought of Jesus saying we are to love one another as He has loved us. (John 13:34) Just how does Jesus love? Scripture shares characteristics of Jesus’ love.
Jesus’ love is first and foremost sacrificial. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” (1 John 3:16). Jesus’ love is given despite the personal cost to Him. "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" (1 John 4:10)
Jesus’ love is undeserved. Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us!” Jesus didn’t deserve to be punished for our wrongdoing, but He loved us enough to take on the consequences that should have been ours. “Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made Him share our sin in order that in union with Him we might share the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Jesus’ love is selfless. Matthew 26:39 says, “He went a little farther on, threw himself face downward on the ground, and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering from me! Yet not what I want, but what you want.’”
Jesus’ love is given willingly. His loving sacrifice wasn’t coerced. John 10:18 says, “No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free will.”
Jesus’ love is given without complaint. Twice in Isaiah 53:7 we are told Jesus never said a word when He was faced with sacrificing His life.
Jesus’ call to love as He loved is a tall order. Knowing we need help, Jesus sends us His Holy Spirit. (John 14:16) Romans 5:5 says, “God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Galatians 5:22 assures us that love is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can love as Jesus loves!
Be encouraged!
