Show Jesus Some Love

Key Verse to Read and Treasure

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even he Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him…As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. (John 14:15-16, 15:9-10, ESV)

For Insight

There were some who sought Jesus for the purpose of being healed and afterward went on their way, satisfied. And some who showed up wherever Jesus was because they learned he was in their vicinity and had heard or knew from experience he was a fantastic, spirit-filled preacher and teacher and they enjoyed hearing his messages. But there were others who came to where Jesus was and were drawn to him, yearned to hear and learn more about what he was saying and started following him. Theirs was more than curiosity, more than being intrigued, or drawn to his charisma. As Isaiah wrote, Jesus “had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him, there wasn’t anything especially lovely about him that anyone should be attracted to him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and as one for whom men hide their faces he was despised.” (Isa 53:1-3) Yet they were drawn to him and wanted to be part of who he was. In a world full of darkness, they gravitated toward his light, and it made their own heart, soul, and mind.

This reminds me of how my husband was often invited to speak at conferences and revivals. Many times we noticed that people who had been in one city or at one church would turn up at another city and church to hear him preach. Even professors who had taught him would come. How often we would hear them echo they traveled to where he was going to be because they loved to hear him preach. The people Jesus preached to and healed loved more than to hear his messages they felt loved by him and began to love him in return.       

Jesus said if we love him then we will also keep his commands. The miracles Jesus performs in our lives may draw us, but the love of Jesus will hold us and stir our heart and soul to stay with him and follow him.

Keeping Jesus’ commands is not a list of laws or rules like the 10 Commandments. They are not a series of moral instructions as some perceive today. But Jesus’ commands encompass and involve the full scope of his teachings, what we learn and receive from the Savior, Redeemer, Son of the Living and Most High God.

Everything we learn from and about Jesus as we read his Word. Observing the New Commandments” he gave: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself.”  (Mathew 22:37-39) In these two we have the Ten Commandments God gave Moses to teach his people.

The 10 are impossible for us to keep and follow. The 10 are what Jesus accomplished and completed for us when he went to the cross and the last words he spoke saying “It is finished” Jesus fulfilled the Law we could not keep but he gave a new one that we can because they are not outside of our moral or spiritual scope to perform and follow. Jesus not only gave a new command but made it easy to keep by asking the Father to send us a Helper and Counselor that cannot only lead us into all truth but pour out his Spirit upon us so we can keep Jesus‘ commands and please him.

Jesus said if we love him then we will keep his commandments. Keeping them is the proof of our love and devotion. As we dwell in him Jesus strengthens and empowers us. Keeping his commandments is not a task but our joy.

Jesus, loving you is about more than words or emotions it is about service. May we show our love by keeping your commandments. Amen

Ask Yourself

How am I showing my love for Christ am I loving him with all my heart, soul and mind and loving my neighbor as myself? In what way(s) do I need his help to fulfill his commandments?    

For more devotions visit: http://www.devotionallyyours.com