Jesus' Infinite Love For You
JESUS OF NAZARETH: OUR GIFT OF HOPE AND LOVE
He was raised in a lowly Jewish family, and lived the life of a humble adult Jew. He was a native of Nazareth, a small town in northern Palestine.
Before his active ministry, he worked with his hands as a common carpenter. He lived among the poor and identified with them. His twelve disciples were devoted followers. During Jesus active ministry of three and half years, the twelve apostles accompanied him everywhere he went. They heard all his teachings. They had private discussions with him. They saw all his miracles. After he ascended into heaven, he sent them to preach the gospel to the world. All of them except two were martyred because of their Christian witness. Of these two, one died of old age in exile (the apostle John), and the other betrayed him (Judas Iscariot).
He started his active ministry when he was thirty years of age (Luke 3:23a). Although Jesus’ ministry lasted only a short period of three and a half years, it had a world-shattering effect. With the exception of a brief visit to the towns of Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 15:21), Jesus ministered in Palestine. His ministry encompassed two major aspects: preaching and teaching, and mighty miracles, some of which are unique in the history of mankind. His favorite method of teaching was by using parables, so people could understand His Kingdom and ministry better. Jesus’ life and behavior were always consistent with his teaching.
The portrait of Jesus Christ is the portrait of perfect divine love; a love that has no end; a love that knows no bounds; a love that exceeds our human understanding and comprehension.
He was reluctant to declare that he was the prophesied Messiah, because in his day the understanding of the Messiah’s mission was distorted and reduced to the role of an earthly king, which he refused to accept (John 6: 15). He became despised and rejected by many of his own people (the Jews), who were more interested in earthly power, and dead tradition. After the humiliation and agony of his death on the cross, his historic earthly existence ended in the triumph of his resurrection and ascension to heaven in 30-33 A.D.
Jesus loved/loves all people: including sinners, people who hated Him, tax collectors, the sick, women and children. In fact, he used to eat with notorious public sinners, in order to guide them to repentance. The love of Jesus is declared in many ways. His great love for us goes beyond all understanding. What a friend, we have in Jesus. He loves you, He cares about you, and He'll never turn you away or abandon you. It is not in His mind or character.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11: 28-30).
