Loved Like Jesus
Have you ever taken time to imagine what it is like to be loved by the Father with the same love He has for Jesus? Before the cross, Jesus prayed for us in the Garden of Gethsemane, and in that prayer, He spoke something very profound.
John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
In this prayer, Jesus is not speaking about unity amongst believers. He is speaking about unity with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is speaking about being one with God through being in a relationship with Him.
In this relationship that Jesus makes possible, we are loved with the same love that the Father loves Him with.
Why did Jesus declare the Father’s name to us? So that the love with which the Father loved Jesus would be in us, and Jesus would also be in us. He has made His abode with us. We have been hidden in God with Christ, and I can assure you that being in that place in Christ, there is no animosity occurring.
I believe this revelation is what led Paul to write the following to the Colossian church.
Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Our perfection is realized in being one with Him. Our being loved is secured by being one with Him.
Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I encourage you in the love of Christ today. Be persuaded of this amazing love we have received in Christ Jesus. See yourself as one with Him. Know that you are greatly loved by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let this good news of being loved like Jesus by the Father invade your soul.
