Christian Reflection and Prayer

(Jesus said) "A new commandment I give to you, that
you love one another: just as I have loved you, you
also are to love one another. By this all people will
know that you are My disciples, if you have love for
one another." John 13:34-35

 

No, I don't love everybody -- and you don't either.
Almost nobody loves everybody
.
Almost.

 

You see, there is an exception to that rule. That
exception is Jesus.

 

Jesus, the sinless Son of God, the Savior of the world,
managed to love everyone. I don't know how, but He
did. Think for a moment of what that meant. He loved
the Pharisees who tried to trick Him, and Herod, the
King, who killed babies in an attempt to eliminate any
competition. Jesus loved the priests who refused to
identify Him as the Savior, and He loved the crowds
who wanted to be healed and fed, but had little use
for salvation. Jesus loved the disciples who slept
when He needed them, and He loved Judas who
betrayed Him with a kiss.
Jesus loved the Roman Procurator who decided to
save his hide rather than dispense justice. Jesus
loved the men who whipped Him, who spit on Him,
who nailed Him to the cross.
And Jesus loved us, which is reason and example
enough for us to try and do the same
.
PRAYER:

 

Dear Lord, I give thanks that Jesus, in spite of my
many sins, has continued to love me. May I follow
His example and do all I can to love everyone --
especially those I consider to be most unlovable.
In the Savior's Name I ask it. Amen.

 

(from Lutheran Hour Ministries)