The world is tainted by hatred and division. Love is lost. When we care for one another in a way that truly is intentional and creates personal connection, this is when others can see Jesus. There are a lot of distractions that prevent people from seeing the hope and love that is found in Him. As Christians, we have to drown out the extra distractions and focus on the commandment in Mark 12, to love our neighbors as ourselves. When we do this, we reflect the love of Jesus that each and every person desperately needs to experience while on earth.
In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus tells his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
When we love others, they can experience a touch of heaven.
Fulfilling God’s mandate to love one another
Love is looking at the needs of others and seeing their physical, emotional and spiritual needs so you can carry their burdens, support and encourage them.
When we see what others are walking through, we can better meet them where they are. Listening to others allows us to know their needs. We can pray, encourage, speak scripture over their situation and be with them in the trials they are going through. An example of this love is found in the book of Job. When Satan afflicted Job with many trials, his friends showed up for him when he reached his breaking point.
Job 2:11-13 says, “When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.”
Job’s friends showed up for him when he needed them most. They never left his side for an entire week. They were in his presence with him, mourning. This is what it looks like to see the needs of others.
Love is willing to make sacrifices without getting anything in return.
Any relationship comes with sacrifice. Whether it is a friendship, romantic relationship or family, all of them will come with sacrifice. Sacrificial love looks like putting their needs before your own, spending time with them, giving when you will get nothing in return. In relationships, it can be hard to pour yourself out without getting filled by the other person. As draining as it is, we cannot expect this love to be reciprocated. The life and character of Jesus is an example of sacrificial love. His ministry was spent preaching, serving, going and doing. There are few times in the Bible where we see Jesus being served. During his last hours on earth, Jesus spent them serving His disciples.
After washing the disciples' feet, Jesus says in John 13:12, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
This is what sacrificial love looks like. In return for his act of selflessness, Jesus got rejection and betrayal from his disciples. Jesus was a humble, loving servant.
Love starts by loving the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul.
In order to first love others, we must be fully surrendered to God. Each day starts by asking him to let his will be done in your life. Rely on His spirit and be attentive to where the Spirit is leading you. Ask for a heart that desires to pursue him. Be in the word gaining wisdom, knowledge and truth about the heart of God. When our eyes are fixed on the things of the Lord, this is when we can pour ourselves out to others.
Psalm 24:4-6 says, “The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.”
