LESSONS FROM THE LOVE OF JESUS
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
John 13:34-35 (NLT)
When I first met my husband, I was instantly smitten. I'm sure I looked at him with the starry eyes of a schoolgirl's first crush, and I hung onto his every word. As we spent more time together, I was drawn to his character, his integrity and compassion for others. My love for him grew, and I began to study him—how he gives and receives love.
If this sounds familiar, you may have read Gary Chapman's book The Five Love Languages, which identifies the primary ways people receive and express love. These languages help determine how we can show love to others. Since Jesus has commanded us to love others, how can we love as He does? It may be helpful for us to examine His love for us in the context of the five Love Languages.
Words of Affirmation: Your new name will be "The City of God's Delight" and "The Bride of God," for the LORD delights in you and will claim you as his bride. (Isaiah 62:4b, NLT)
Acts of Service: So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. (John 13:4-5, NLT)
Receiving Gifts: God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:10, NLT)
Quality Time: "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. (John 1:39, NLT)
Physical Touch: Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. (Mark 10:16, NLT)
Jesus is the original author of love, and He left evidence all over the pages of Scripture.
APPLICATION: Without saying I love you, show someone you love them today through one of the five love languages.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Continue to show me how I can love others well, just as You do. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?