i love u

jesus came as god's way of saying i still love and care about all of my creation. had god not still loved people would he have sent us jesus? why would it matter to him what happened to us, why would he worry that we needed a way to be rescued from the mess that we put ourselves in? it was a gift of god's love for us-it is expressed best (i think) when paul said in romans that while we were still sinners god loved us. so he sent us jesus.

as we look at this little baby and his life as he grew up we get a glimpse of the love that god has in mind when he talks about us loving one another and loving him. jesus came into a mess that we call the world and loved the people in it in an effort to try to change it. he didn't stand back and scoff at it, or decide it was too far gone to try to love it-he dove in and began loving people just how they were. he didn't establish guidelines for what kind of people he would love-he didn't overlook people who were different from him-he didn't decide to avoid certain neighborhoods because they were "bad"-he just started loving people. he loved all the people that he came in contact with. he loved people who seemed very unlovable to the common people of his day. he loved tax collectors and prostitutes and the outcasts of society.

his love for others far exceeded any love these people had ever known. they were literally shocked by his willingness to love them. they were loved by jesus like we love our families (hopefully) and how we love ourselves. he loved people just the way they were, he didn't make it a condition that they do something for him, he didn't even make it a condition that they follow him. he just shared his love with them. even to his death he loved people-even people who didn't deserve his love. the very people who crucified him-he loved and asked that they be forgiven because they didn't know what they were doing. this love exceeded all measure and had no limits.

in todays world it is easy to find lots of reasons not to love others-especially unconditionally and like jesus commanded like we love ourselves. this goes beyond just being kind to others or giving to places that help others. this means getting dirty and loving people-becoming friends with people who we would normally pass by or treat poorly. it means instead of trying to get away from all the terrible people that we get closer to them and love them. it means instead of retreating from culture that we immerse ourselves in culture in an effort to try to change our culture. to truly love people has many serious implications.

we must love not out of duty but out of the overflow of our hearts becasue of how much we have been loved. we must love even if the risks are high and we can be let down. we need to stop worrying that others may let us down and start loving with no strings attached (instead of just if they do what we want or expect). there were three things held in high esteem by paul; faith, hope, and love. the greatest is love!! Jesus commanded us as the greatest commands to love god with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves!!

if we are truly going to follow god it will require us to love-with all our hearts more than just ourselves. will you stop building walls and start loving??