Jesus Loves… Me?… You!

December, 2005

by: Dave Hintz

“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…”

My daughter’s earnest and off key rendition falls like nectar from her lips. The song fills our house like the fragrance of a freshly cut Christmas tree bringing delight to all who hear. It’s a song I sing to myself, as I ponder the magnificence of my Father’s sacrificial, sanctified, soul stirring, staunch and steadfast love for me. In softer moments, I weep with joy as I ponder how Jesus gave up His glorious abode with the Father to live a humble life and die a despicable death. God’s love transformed us, so it’s only natural that we think of God’s love in reference to ourselves.

Yet, sometimes we can ponder this helpful truth to a fault. We so overemphasize this attribute that we fan the flames of a self indulgent, self focused, self esteem stroking Christianity. For some, this leads to the erroneous conclusion that we must love ourselves even before we can love our neighbors. Yet, self love and Christ-like love are irreconcilable. After all, it is not possible to sacrificially love yourself.

In recent days, I have found a way to meditate upon the intense love of our Maker and not fall into the trap of self indulgent Christianity. Allow me to share this insight with you. Take fifteen minutes or so and meditate upon God’s love in reference to others. To say it again, instead of thinking about “How much Jesus loves me” think about “How must Jesus loves my spouse, pastor, friend, boss, etc.” Consider His jealous affection for the transplanted Christian attending our church for the first time. Marvel at His passionate love for that friend with whom you had a falling out. Imagine Jesus weeping over the fate of your neighbor who does not know Him. Contemplate Jesus’ compassion towards that faithful widow who is spending her first Christmas alone.

Thinking about God’s intense love for others challenges and stirs us to fervent faithfulness to the second greatest commandment. We understand why our love for God is inseparable from our love for others. A Christian who loves God loves those people whom God loves. To say it a different way, we must love our neighbors because God loves them.

This Christmas, as we ponder the greatest Christmas gift ever given, think about how God graciously gave that gift to your fellow Saints. And imagine how a thoughtful card, visit, phone call, greeting, encouragement, etc. can help others gain a greater grasp of the love of God. Such actions will allow us to experience the love of God in a fresh way. We become more than just recipients of His affection, but channels through which the tenderness of God flows.

1 John 3:16 “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”