Posts
by Samuel E. Ward
Introduction
A. The Passion of Christ Is the Greatest Expression of the Fullness of Jesus' Love
(John 13:1 NIV) It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
B. The Life and Passion of Christ Reflect the Greatest Description of What Love Is.
(1 Cor 13:4-8 NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. {5} It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. {6} Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. {7} It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. {8} Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
I. Love Is Patient (forbearing).
A. Jesus Manifested Patience with the Slowness of His Disciples.
(Mat 16:5-11 NIV) When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. {6} "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." {7} They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread." {8} Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? {9} Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? {10} Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? {11} How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
B. Jesus Manifests Patience with All His Disciples by Promising to Hold on to Them Until Their Day of Resurrection
(John 6:37-39 NIV) All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. {38} For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. {39} And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
II. Love Is Kind.
The task of washing the feet of guests was usually assigned to a servant in the household. In Jesus case, He kindly took the task upon Himself to make the point that the true nature of leadership is known by its willingness to serve in a gentle and kind manner.
(John 13:4-5 NIV) so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. {5} After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
III. Love Does Not Envy.
Jesus had awareness of the glory He left in the presence of His Heavenly Father. There is no hint of begrudging the Father for assigning Him the ministry of coming to earth to live among sinful men and ultimately to die at their hands. In fact, He willingly did so in order to bring us to salvation.
How easy it is to envy the high privilege and positions of others without realizing that we are better equipped to show the mercy, grace, love, forgiveness and compassion of God from when we live more like the masses than the masters of the world.
(Phil 2:6-8 NIV) [Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, {7} but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
IV. Love Does Not Boast.
To what do you attribute the great achievements of your life. If you are like Christ, you recognize God as the Giver of the talents, time, opportunities, and resources that made you able to achieve them.
(John 8:53-54 NIV) Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?" {54} Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.
V. Love Is Not Proud.
J. C. Macaulay wrote, "One of the marks of true greatness is the ability to develop greatness in others." In washing the feet of the disciples Jesus was defining the nature of Christian leadership, servanthood. If anyone is too proud to serve the needs of those he leads, then he is too proud to serve Christ.
(John 13:14-16 NIV) Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. {15} I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. {16} I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
VI. Love Is Not Rude.
(Mat 26:48-50 NIV) Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." {49} Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. {50} Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
VII. Love Is Not Self-Seeking—It Is Self-Sacrificing.
(John 15:12-14 NIV) My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. {13} Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. {14} You are my friends if you do what I command.
VIII. Love Is Not Easily Angered.
It has always been a great comfort to me that God knows that we as humans are made of dust. We are to strive for perfection as goal, but knows that we can never achieve this side of heaven. Our spirits are often willing to do the right thing but fear and doubt can weaken the body's willingness to comply. Jesus, rather than making the disciples feel guilty about their coming timidity and abandonment in the midst of His suffering, understood it and sought to encourage them . He looked to the future when He will have given the peace they lacked and promised victory over the world.
(John 16:32-33 NIV) "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. {33} "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
IX. Love Keeps No Records of Wrongs.
A. Jesus forgave the ignorance of those who crucified Him without their petitioning Him.
(Luke 23:33-34 NIV) When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. {34} Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
B. Jesus offered Peter the privilege of "feeding His sheep" without dragging up Peter's previous denials.
(John 21:15, 18-19 NIV) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." . . . {18} I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." {19} Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
C. John knew well the way of forgiveness and the release it offers to those who seek it.
(1 John 1:9 NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
X. Love Does Not Delight in Evil.
The truth is often plain before men but because it is not what they want it to be, they rebel against it so they can go our own way. Their desires become more important to them than God's will and would rather follow the devil.
(John 8:44-47 NIV) You [unbelievers] belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. {45} Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! {46} Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? {47} He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
XI. Love Rejoices with the Truth.
Truth is not always pretty. Truth is at times apparently ugly and hurtful. But the truth in context has the power to leads us to redemption. The loss of Christ on the earth led to the gain of heaven for all who believe.
(John 16:20,22 NIV) I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy . . . {22} Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
XII. Love Always Protects.
Many would rather have the passage we will refer to be a promise of never having to endure danger, pain, and grief brought upon us by the hatred of those who hate Christ. Instead, Christ promises to protect us from being defeated by it.
(John 17:14-15 NIV) I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. {15} My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
XIII. Love Always Trusts.
(Luke 23:46 NIV) Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.
XIV. Love Always Hopes.
The Scriptures teach us that Jesus was able to endure the cross because of the joy of bringing sons and daughters into the family of God. The hope He offered His disciples of one day being with Him in His Father's house was also a hope he anticipated for Himself.
(John 14:2-3 NIV) In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
XV. Love Always Perseveres.
At what point is enough, enough? For Jesus, the work of redemption was not complete until He had given up His spirit to heaven from whence He came. So it is with believers. The struggle against sin and this world is not finished until we draw our last breath, as well. The rewards are well worth the price paid.
(John 19:30 NIV) When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
XVI. Love Never Fails. "He is risen.!"
(Luke 24:5-7 NIV) In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? {6} He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: {7} 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"
Christ opened the minds of the disciples on the Emmaus Road to the truth that He had come to die so that He could rise from the dead. This resurrection is the basis for the hope that all believers have in their own resurrection. There is victory over death, sin, and the grave! The love that compelled Him to endure the cross did not fail!
(Luke 24:45-47 NIV) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. {46} He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, {47} and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Conclusion
The title of two gospel songs near and dear to our hearts speak the truth simply:
"Jesus Loves Me, This I Know," and
"Oh How He Loves You and Me"
