Love like Jesus

Have you ever thought about what it means to love? Maybe you can think of someone very special to you that you love, like your mom, dad, nana or grandpa. And maybe you can think of someone who loves YOU very much.

Now, think about the way you and that special person treat one another. Are there lots of hugs? Do you try to help each other? Do you like to spend time together and do fun things? The way we treat our loved ones can show a lot about how much we love them, can’t it?

Now imagine someone who you don’t always get along with. Is it as easy to show that same love to them? I doubt it! But Jesus taught us how to make this hard thing easy. Yes easy! Because his promise is that when we let him lead us, it IS easy. In Matthew 11:29-30, Jesus tells us '...learn from me, I am gentle and humble in heart... my yolk is easy to bear and my burden in light."

Jesus showed us how to love each other by the way HE treated people. 

This is the example Jesus gave us. Jesus forgave people for their sins - he did not stay angry at them. The Bible tells us to be “…kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Jesus’ love went to everyone (the whole world as a matter of fact according to John 3:16!). Even if people were treating him badly, he still showed and told his followers to “…Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you…” (Matthew 5:44).

The next time someone gets on your nerves, remember Jesus’ example. Show that person love anyway, and remember how greatly God has forgiven you. Jesus not only gave us a great gift of love, but he made YOU able to share that beautiful gift with others. That’s how much he loves you!