Loving Others Like Jesus

Introduction: The Greatest Commandment

Love is at the core of everything Jesus taught. When asked about the greatest commandment, He responded:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:37-39

Loving others like Jesus isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a command. But let’s be honest: it’s not always easy. People can be difficult, unkind, or even hurtful. And yet, Jesus calls us to love not based on how others treat us, but based on how He loves us.

So, what does it truly mean to love like Jesus?

1. Jesus Loved Unconditionally

Jesus didn’t love people based on their actions, status, or worthiness. He loved freely and fully.

🔹 He loved the outcasts—the lepers, the tax collectors, and the sinners that society rejected. (Luke 5:30-32)
🔹 He loved those who failed—like Peter, who denied Him three times, yet Jesus restored him with love. (John 21:15-17)
🔹 He loved even His enemies—praying for those who crucified Him. (Luke 23:34)

Loving like Jesus means loving without conditions—even when it’s inconvenient, undeserved, or difficult.

✨ Ask Yourself: Who in your life do you struggle to love? How can you choose to love them as Jesus does?

2. Jesus Loved Through Action

Jesus didn’t just say He loved—He showed it through action.

🔹 He served humbly—washing His disciples' feet, a task usually reserved for servants. (John 13:5)
🔹 He met people’s needs—feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and caring for the broken. (Matthew 14:14-21)
🔹 He sacrificed everything—giving His life on the cross to save us. (Romans 5:8)

True love isn’t just words—it’s action. It’s choosing kindness, showing compassion, and serving others selflessly.

✨ Ask Yourself: How can you show love in action today? Maybe it’s helping a friend in need, forgiving someone, or simply offering encouragement.

3. Jesus Loved with Grace and Truth

Jesus never compromised truth, but He always delivered it with grace.

🔹 With the woman caught in adultery, He extended grace by not condemning her but spoke truth when He told her to leave her life of sin. (John 8:10-11)
🔹 With Peter, He rebuked him in love when Peter doubted, but He also reassured him of his calling. (Matthew 14:31)

Loving like Jesus means we don’t just accept everything or condemn harshly—we love people enough to speak truth with kindness, pointing them to Christ.

✨ Ask Yourself: Are you balancing grace and truth in your relationships? Are you leading with love when you correct or encourage others?

4. Jesus Loved with Patience and Forgiveness

One of the hardest ways to love like Jesus is forgiving those who hurt us. But Jesus didn’t just talk about forgiveness—He embodied it.

🔹 On the cross, He forgave the very people who nailed Him there. (Luke 23:34)
🔹 He told Peter to forgive ‘seventy times seven’ times. (Matthew 18:21-22)
🔹 He welcomes us with open arms, no matter how many times we fail. (1 John 1:9)

Loving like Jesus means letting go of bitterness, resentment, and past wounds. It means choosing grace over grudges.

✨ Ask Yourself: Is there someone you need to forgive? Ask God to help you release that hurt and love them with His grace.

5. Loving Like Jesus Starts with Being Filled with His Love

We can’t pour out what we don’t have. Loving like Jesus isn’t about trying harder—it’s about staying close to Him so His love flows through us.

🔹 Spend time in God’s presence. The more we experience His love, the more we can share it.
🔹 Ask for His help. On our own, we will fall short—but with His Spirit, we can love beyond our natural ability.
🔹 See others through His eyes. Instead of seeing faults, ask God to help you see people as He does—precious and worth loving.

Final Encouragement: Love Like Jesus, Change the World

Loving like Jesus isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it. The world is hurting, divided, and desperate for real love.

When we love others like Jesus, we become a reflection of Him. Our love can bring healing, hope, and transformation.

💛 Choose kindness over criticism.
💛 Choose forgiveness over bitterness.
💛 Choose compassion over judgment.
💛 Choose to love—even when it’s hard.

This week, let’s commit to loving like Jesus. One act of love at a time, we can change the world.

A Prayer for Loving Like Jesus

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for loving me unconditionally. Teach me to love others the way Jesus does—with grace, patience, kindness, and truth. When it’s hard to love, give me the strength to show mercy. When I feel hurt, help me choose forgiveness. Fill me with Your love so that I can reflect it to those around me. May my life be a testimony of Your great love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let’s love boldly this week! Reply and share—what is one way you will love like Jesus today?

With love and faith,

Brandon