HAVING A LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS
Jesus Christ said to his disciples, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer (Luke 22:15). They related close to him in his death, resurrection and ascension to heaven (Acts 1:11). Jesus is as eager to have a loving relationship with us who have not seen him as he did with his early disciples (John 20:29; John 14:2-3).
JESUS’ LOVE FOR US
Jesus loves us enough to leave his throne with God in heaven to come to a world that hated him to redeem us to God– although we were sinners and enemies of God (Philippians 2:6-8; Romans 5:8-10).
- He loved us enough to endure shame and humiliation (Hebrew 12:2)
- Beaten and crowned with thorns
- Mocked and spat upon (Mark 15:16-20)
- Condemned to die though he did nothing wrong (Luke 23:22-24)
- Made to carry a cross made for criminals, and crucified between criminals (John 19:17-18)
- Agonizing the pain of hell and separation from God for our sins, Jesus cried out on the cross, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? (Matthews 27:46; Romans 6:23).
Jesus did this for us, not that we loved him. But he first loved us, and had an eager desire to draw us into a loving relationship with God (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10; John 12:32).
HOW JESUS WANTS US TO LOVE HIM BACK
Jesus wants us to love him back, as he has loved us. The following are ways we can demonstrate our love for our Savior and Lord who died for us:
- Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind. (Mark 12:30-31)
- Deny self and take up your cross and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23.
- Be conformed to his likeness (Romans 8:29).
- Obey the Lord’s commandments—Do all he says (John 14:15; Matthew 4:4)
- Have a hot rather than a lukewarm love for the Lord (Revelation 3:16)
- Set your mind on things above where Christ is, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2; 1 John 2:16)
- Love the Lord more than family (Matthews 10:37)
- Love others, as he has loved you (John 13:34; John 4:11)
- Proclaim the gospel of salvation to the world for whom he loved enough to die (Mark 16:15-16)
Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ wants us to have a loving relationship with him, and live with God and all our heavenly family forever in glory (John 14:2-3).
