New Hope Church

Day 34 – Lenten Devotional

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL – DAY 34 – SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2019

Jesus Loved His Disciples

John 15:12  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”

Jesus commands the church to make disciples and He gave us His how-to example.  By teaching, being part of others’ lives, demonstrating Godly behavior, Jesus made it interesting for many to follow Him.  However, followers became willing disciples through the “love” Jesus had for them.  His love was and is the glue that holds relationships together.  Jesus love produces the fruit of joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  Without love the fruit dries up.

Jesus love is not just any love, but ἀγαπᾷ (agape) love.  Agape love is altruistic, unconditional and purposeful primarily used by Jesus as a verb.  In other words, it is something you DO!  Love as a verb means the intentional practice, development and sharing from you to Christ and others. Disciple and disciple-maker.

In the New Testament Greek “agape” is used 59 times in the gospels, 25 of those are in the gospel of John, while 20 of those 25 occur during Jesus intimate time with His disciples on the night of His betrayal.  Jesus commands agape love and authenticates His command by His own action of love for His Father and His disciples!

Consider Jesus teaching in the upper room before His betrayal:
John 13:34-35  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 14:15  “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
John 14:21  “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me;
John 14:31  “but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me.”
John 15:10  “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 15:12  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”
John 15:17  “This I command you, that you love one another.”

Jesus intentional love is demonstrated by His loving obedience to His heavenly Father.  Your “proof” of love is demonstrated by your actions as well.  Authentic love!

REFLECT:  When you truly love someone you grow in relationship proportional to the love you have for them and them for you.  Jesus love for you is inexhaustible, so your growth in your relationship with Christ will be directly proportional to the authentic love you have for God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

REPENT:  Change your ways.  Do you say you love God, but place Him somewhere low on your priority list?  Do you love your children like that? Your spouse? Your friend? Your parents?  Be convicted of “shallow” love and move further in genuine love, placing God above all so you can better love others.  God loves you! Read Psalm 36.

RESTORE:  Be convicted of shallow love and move further in genuine love, placing God above all so you can better love others.  Love comes from God (read 1 John) and is worth working at.  Grow your discipleship in agape with Christ and take that vertical love and intentionally practice, develop and share Jesus disciple-making example of agape!

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Blessings,
Pastor Tom Bellhy