Digging Deeper Into What Jesus Said About Love

Introduction – What Did Jesus Say About Love?

It seems like everyone is talking about love these days. And that’s a good thing! After all, love is one of the most important things in life. But what does Jesus have to say about love?

In this article, I’ll explore some of the most famous verses about love from the Bible. As we’ll see, Jesus had a lot to say about love—and it’s as relevant today as it ever was.

Jesus’ Words on Loving One Another

I’ve been reading through the Gospels recently and came across a set of Jesus’ teachings about love that I thought was pretty profound. He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you must love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples; if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

This is something that has stayed with me ever since I read it. It speaks to the idea that we should always look for ways to love others and show them that we care. It’s a mandate to go out of our way to do good for others and put their needs ahead of ours.

This is something that I try to live out in my own life. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. And I know that when I stumble, Jesus is there to forgive me and help me get back on track.

Jesus’ Teaching on Showing Compassion

When Jesus says, “love your neighbor as yourself,” he’s not only talking about the people close to us. He’s talking about everyone we encounter.

This is a tricky concept to wrap our heads around, but it’s important. We’re not just called to love the people who are easy to love. We’re called to show compassion to everyone, no matter how challenging they might be.

Think about it this way: When we show compassion to others, we do something pretty radical. We’re forgiving them, even when they don’t deserve it. We’re opening our hearts even when it feels like they’re closed off. And we’re accepting them for who they are, even if we don’t always agree with them.

This is the kind of love that Jesus was talking about. It’s love willing to go the extra mile, no matter the cost.

Jesus’ Instruction to Love Your Enemies

When Jesus said to “love your enemies,” he wasn’t just about making nice. He was talking about going out of your way to do good for them, no matter how they’ve treated you.

I remember the first time I understood this concept. I was in the middle of a heated argument with my ex-wife, and I decided to take a break from the discussion. I entered the other room and started folding clothes for our baby girl. I could still hear her yelling from the other room, but I didn’t care. I was doing something good for her, even though she acted like a jerk.

That’s when it hit me: this is what Jesus meant when he said to love your enemies. It’s not just about being nice to them—it’s about doing something good for them, no matter how they treat you.

What Did Jesus Mean by His Message on Love?

So what did Jesus mean when he said to love our enemies? I think he was calling us to a higher standard, where we see people not as objects to be used or conquered but as fellow human beings worthy of compassion and respect.

Jesus asked us to love the people who are the hardest to love and, in doing so, to change the world. He knew that hatred and violence only breed more hatred and violence. But love—true love—can overcome anything.

It’s a tall order, for sure. But I believe it’s possible because I’ve seen it happen. I’ve seen people who thought they could never forgive transform their lives by choosing love over anger and fear. And that’s why I think Jesus’ message is just as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago.

How Can We Demonstrate Jesus’s Love in Our Lives?

One way we can demonstrate Jesus’s love in our lives is by being forgiving. Just as Jesus forgave those who crucified him, we are called to forgive those who have hurt us. This doesn’t mean that what they did was okay; it just means that we refuse to let anger and bitterness take root in our hearts.

Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is always worth it. When we forgive, we set ourselves free from the pain of the past and make room for more joy and happiness. We are also following in the footsteps of Jesus, who showed us what true love looks like.

What Did the Disciples Think About Jesus’s Teachings on Love?

The disciples must have thought Jesus was crazy when he started talking about love. They were a bunch of dudes in the middle of nowhere with no food, no money, and probably not a lot of hope.

And then Jesus tells them to love their enemies and pray for those persecuting them. I don’t know about you, but if someone’s persecuting me, the last thing I’m going to do is pray for them.

But that’s exactly what Jesus calls us to do. In his famous Sermon on the Mount, he says:

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”

What an incredible command. And it’s not just some pie-in-the-sky ideal; it’s something Jesus himself lived out. He was betrayed by one of his closest friends, denied by another, and crucified by the government. And yet, on the cross, he prayed for his enemies, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

That’s the power of love.

Conclusion

So, now that we know that love is a choice, not a feeling, how do we make that choice? Jesus provides us with some very clear instructions.

We are to love others as we love ourselves. In other words, we are to treat others the way we want to be treated. We must pray for our enemies and do good to those who hate us. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven.

These instructions may seem difficult, but they are not impossible. With God’s help, we can love others the way Jesus loves us.