I was blown away this Sunday by a Sermon from John 17--Jesus' prayer for us. I have often meditated on this prayer and used it in my own prayers!! But I failed to really get a grasp on 17:23 --it overwhelms me--utterly.
It says: "I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."
That last part--you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.-----God loves us in the same way He loves His own son. As much as He loves His own son.
As one commentary online states:
To underscore this equality of love, notice how other Bible translations handle the word "as." They use words like "even as," "just as," "in the same way," "with the same love as," "as much as," and "just as much as." All emphasize the equality of the Father's love."
"On the authority of Jesus Christ, the same Jesus who has been with God forever, we know the Father loves us as much as He loves Jesus—no more, no less. If we consider how much He must love Christ after spending billions of years working together in perfect harmony, that is exactly how much He loves us. The true depth of that love is definitely beyond our comprehension. It takes faith to believe this simple statement of fact."
IT IS SO HARD TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND THIS LOVE---I CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT I MAY KNOW THE HEIGHT AND DEPTH AND LENGTH AND WIDTH OF HIS LOVE (EPH 3)
OH, AND thinking more on this, this puts a whole new spin on loving my neighbor as myself. God loves us as much as His Son (who is God)---so is it a stretch to say He loves us as himself. He commands us to do what He is doing. I wonder.
It should be easy to love our neighbor if we always remember that God loves us as He loves his own son..
ReplyDeleteso we should love our neighbors as ourselves...
your post makes one think!!!
thanks
I love that you used the picture of the woods for your Header...
ReplyDeleteI just read your comment about my post about my mom's birthday. The picture is about 2 years old. That is her with my oldest son.
ReplyDeleteBTW the photos on your recents posts are absolutely gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteIntriguing final thought there. And maybe sometimes part of the reason we have trouble loving others is because we don't love ourselves...
ReplyDeleteOh, the trees! Enchanting.
It makes perfect sense to say that God loves us as He loves Himself. We know as well that He takes great pleasure in Himself by enjoying the works of His hands.
ReplyDeleteGenesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good...
you shared,
He commands us to do what He is doing.
Yes. He doesn't ask of us anything He isn't Himself also willing to do first. Example: Die for His enemies. Submit to the Father. Keep the commandments. Jesus said that He does what He sees the Father do and that He says what He hears the Father say. We know what those things are by what is written in the Word. We should be saying and doing those things also. And by doing and saying those things, we will be loving our neighbor because God can't help but do only that which is good and perfect and will also if we are walking in those things.
It amazes me how much God loves me. I am so thankful. I am so thankful that we have such a loving God.
ReplyDeleteFondly, Sharon
Hey, Sparrow, good application--thanks for reminding me of those verses--what an awesome God.
ReplyDeleteI am hopelessly behind! Love the picture of the woooooods! And the thoughts on God's love for us was awe inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI love John 17. It always astounds and...well I can't find the words but it's just great.
ReplyDeleteThought provoking thoughts, thanks.
Beautiful post!! Happy Mothers Day!!
ReplyDeleteThis was beautifully stated. I appreciate you drawing my attention to these verses, Kim. Thank you. Kathi
ReplyDeleteWhat is truly amazing about this is he wants US to be so filled with HIS love only HIS father can give to the rest of the world we live in today. We are to be examples and stewards in Christ Jesus. Not only were we "Created in his own image" Genesis 1:27 he wants to fill us with Godly love for others to see that we have Christ in us through him.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to see how much he loves us but to truly understand this in depth...is a whole new mystery only we will Know that glorious day we are in his presence in his Holy and Eternal Kingdom.
Bless you!!
Jeannene