LOVING JESUS

“ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father’” John 14:28

A pastor was preaching a sermon about loving Jesus. To make a point, he stepped forward and said, “I am not ashamed to say, ‘I love Jesus.’” At first, it seemed strange for him to say it and to say it so emphatically.

However, it may not have been a strange thing for him to say it. Perhaps it was in his mind that some people in the congregation did not love Jesus. Perhaps even fewer of the people had ever said to Jesus or anyone that he loved Jesus.

Consider some statements Jesus made about His followers loving Him.

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14: 21

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14: 15

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” John 14: 23

Perhaps the most striking statement Jesus made about His followers loving Him is found in John 14:28

“If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father.’”

We must never forget that it is the Holy Spirit who fills us with this divine love. Live by grace and be filled with the Spirit.