By Minister Riley Nelson
Richmond Hill Church of Christ

Often times the love of Jesus is not seen in the lives of His creation. What is seen are people trying to get ahead anyway possible, others seeking revenge, spiteful actions, jealousy and hatefulness. These are not the things Jesus left for examples of how to live. The true Christian knows that the love of Jesus must be seen in their lives each day. 

The love of Jesus is seen in His compassion for men. He went about doing good, He took the time to care for the sick, comfort the bereaved, and many other good things. A leper was to be avoided, but Jesus healed his illness. At the tomb of Lazarus the Lord stood and wept. Not only did He care for the physical needs of people; He was concerned about their spiritual needs. On one occasion the Bible says He was “moved with compassion” because the multitude was a flock without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36). 

Just as the Lord showed compassion on mankind, Christians need to do the same. While they cannot heal the sick or raise the dead, they can offer comfort and help to them. Words of kindness either by card or in person help lift the spirits of those in need. Christians need to take opportunities that come their way to show the love of Jesus to the world (Gal. 6:10). 

The love of Jesus is seen for all men. Prejudice did not have a place in the life of the Lord. This is clearly seen as He talked with a Samaritan woman (Jno. 4:6ff). She even asked Him about this: “Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans” (Jno. 4:9). Not only did He talk with her, but He also taught her and her people. To Jesus it did not matter what nationality a person was, what mattered was they had a soul. 

To show the love of Jesus today one must remove all prejudice from their lives. If God is not a respecter of men, then Christians must not be either (Gal. 3:28). 

The love of Jesus is seen in His willing sacrifice for man. He left the glories of Heaven to take on the form of man and to die at Calvary for mankind (Phil. 2:5-11). Man did not take His life; He freely gave it for man. “Therefore, doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (Jno. 10:17, 18). Such love had never been seen by the world.

The Christian who presents his body a “living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1, 2), shows the sacrificial love of Jesus. This person puts others first and is not conformed to this world. Humility and willingness to follow God above all else is seen in the life of this person. 

The love of Jesus is seen in His willingness to forgive. From the cross where He was slain came these words: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). What love is seen in those words. At a time when He could have called for the death of those who crucified Him, we see the love of His nature. Forgiveness must be a part of the Christians life if this part of the Lord’s love is to be seen. No where do we see a spirit of hatefulness or revenge portrayed by Jesus. 

May the love of Jesus be seen in the lives of all, follow His example, obey the Father (Acts 2:38), become a Christian and live a life of “The love of Christ” before all men.