This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. – John 15:12 NLT

Jesus asked Simon Peter, ” Simon Son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. When Jesus asked him again, Jesus told Peter, “Take care of my sheep.” – John 21:15-16 NLT

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. – John 14:21 NLT

Jesus loves me. And not just for this moment or when I’m good. He always loves me. Always. And He loves you, too. He died for us, in our place, knowing exactly all the sins we would commit and all the things we would do to hurt Him. This is truly amazing love. Unfathomable. But true. My response to this incredible, there-are-no-words-to-truly-describe love is tears, joy, humbleness, thankfulness, praise, and amazement to name a few. I follow Him to stay near His presence. I seek to please Him and bring Him joy. My heart is broken when I fail. But, when I see my sin and run to Him in repentance, He immediately forgives and restores me. Another amazing wonder. It causes me to sing the old hymn, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Sweetest name I know! Fills my every longing. Keeps me singing as I go.”

But, Jesus said that it doesn’t stop with Him loving us and us loving Him. He tells us that we have to love others as He does. Not the way we love, but as He does. That is a tall order and an impossible one unless we have the love of Jesus in us and believe the scripture that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. If we truly see and embrace the love that Jesus has for us, we will be compelled by this love to love Him with all our heart and to have the desire to love others.