God has been teaching how to love without reciprocation. But let me be the first to tell you, that’s not always easy because sometimes my flesh gets in the way.
Here’s what I mean… Jesus lived his entire life for the purpose of loving others. Valuing others above himself. Now, do I mean don’t love yourself? NO! I think most people would agree that it is hard to love others if you don’t love yourself first; however, I think we could spend a lot less time thinking about ourselves.
I was reading in Matthew 14 this morning and Jesus finds out that John the Baptist was just beheaded and mocked in the palace. Literally Jesus gets the news that his relative, friend and loyal supporter had his head cut off by Herod and served on a plate before the royal court!
He immediately left to get away by himself and then a multitude of people bombard him.
Here’s the crazy part….
Jesus saw the crowd and was FILLED with COMPASSION! (Matt. 14:14).
Jesus cared more about the people in front of him than he did about himself because he knew the truth of who those people were. He knew they were sheep without a shepherd and he could never turn them away.
I want to love without reciprocation like this. It says until evening Jesus was with them healing the sick. Then his disciples said, yo Jesus, let’s send these people home and get on with our evening (Madison Version). Jesus says, “They do not NEED to go away. Give them something to eat. (14:16).
Sometimes we confuse the word NEED and WANT.
Jesus knew what the crowd needed. They needed Him. They needed a savior. They needed hope. I am sure Jesus wanted to be alone with the Father. He probably wanted to mourn the loss of his dear friend. Instead, he didn’t ignore his desire, but instead he thought more of the needs of others.
If the Body of Christ operated how it should, we would all care more for one another than ourselves and then everyone would be cared for. I pray I can love more from a heart of not expecting anything in return.
It is easy for me to love strangers and acquaintances without reciprocation, but it is difficult for me to not expect love in return from my close friends. I am not sure why when we get comfortable around people we stop trying so hard to give them love. I do this, but then I expect people to continue loving me. I expect people to ask me intentional questions even when I am not asking them any.
How strange that we expect things from others that we aren’t even giving to them. Do y’all do this too?
The Lord challenged me this morning to ruthlessly love the closest people to me and expect nothing in return. We were actually created to be loved and love God, and a way to love God is to love his people.
“Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness” by Timothy Keller is an incredible quick read if you want some more biblical backing for what I am talking about.
Also take a read at Romans 12:9-21. That’s the way I want to love.
Let’s be the Body of Christ and work on giving away all of our love like Jesus did!
