Jesus Loves You

Jesus Loves You

Many people have wondered if Jesus really loves them. The Bible is clear that no matter what we have done, Jesus does love us. In fact, He promises to both forgive us of every wrong we have done and provide us eternal life if only we will believe in Him: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Before we were even born, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on our behalf to give us the opportunity for eternal life. This amazing gift comes to us because of His wonderful grace toward us: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). We don’t have to earn His love; we simply accept it.

It may be difficult to believe Jesus loves you because of other people who have let you down in the past. However, Jesus is unlike any other person; He is God in human form (John 1:14). He was involved in creating us, He sustains our every breath, and He offers us new life now and eternal life in heaven with Him. Others may have abandoned you; he did not. Others may have broken promises; he does not. Others’ love expired or were broken in death; his will not.

Another reason it may be difficult to accept the truth that Jesus loves you is that something you have done in the past troubles you. Jesus already knows your past and still offers you eternal life and forgiveness. A wonderful example of His love can be found in His last hours on the cross. One of the men crucified next to Him was being put to death for his crimes. Turning to Jesus, he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, saying, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42–43). Despite this criminal’s sins, Jesus accepted his simple and sincere act of faith and promised him eternity in heaven—even though Jesus knew the man had no time to live his life differently.

When we ask, “How much does Jesus love me?” we only need to look at the cross. He stretched out His hands and said, “I love you this much.” He gave His life to give you new life. His blood paints a picture of love you can see. He did not send a love card and flowers from heaven. He did not write you a poem in the clouds. He came down to be crucified. He says that he loves you as your sin hammers nails through his hands and hangs him up on a cross in agony. He did not simply say that he loved you, he died to display that he loved you in the most powerful way imaginable. He drank your cup of judgment. Each wound, each affliction, each nail flashes love’s lightning. Every thorn endured in his brow, every claw withstood on his back, every tolerated mock to his misery thunders behind his words of love. He did not give us a red rose; he spilled his crimson blood to prove his profession of love. 

And he suffered more than nails. He was forsaken by his Father as he bore our sin. He cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Mere men could not inflict this pain. Bring on a thousand bloody crosses before this. Bring on ten thousand thorny crowns and scourging whips before this. Jesus, forsaken by the world, forsaken by his people, forsaken by his disciples, was also forsaken by his Father because of his love for you and I. The thought that Jesus, the perfect Son of God, would love a wretched, hell-bound sinner can lighten a heart weighed down by guilt and cause a mournful soul to sing joyfully. It is the love of Christ that causes one to experience the spiritual delights of the heavenly realms. It compels one to live a life of selfless, sacrificial service in this earthly realm. It is only in being lost in the love of Jesus that we find our true selves.

… Yeah, He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves

Lost soul, return home to God’s love. Beloved saint, warm yourself by the flames of this love.

You can pray to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior right now and accept His love and eternal life. There is no special prayer to pray, but you can respond with a prayer similar to this:

“Dear Jesus, I realize I am a sinner and could never become right with you by my own good deeds. I repent of all my sins and place my faith in You as the only begotten son of God. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life.”

Sources: https://www.gotquestions.org/does-Jesus-love-me.html; https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/when-jesus-says-i-love-you#a-love-from-greater-heights; https://in.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/road-goes-ever-on/jesus-loves-me-this-i-know/