SWHW Two Year Bible Reading Plan: March, Year 2Sample

Top Takeaway from Alonda Tanner:

I am always amazed at how deeply Jesus loves. There isn't a love in the world that compares to His. If we observe His actions and pay attention to His New Testament teachings, we see He is constantly challenging the ideals of people in regards to how we love. 

Love your neighbor. 

Love strangers. 

Bless those who curse you. 

Pray for those who spitefully use you. 

Forgive.

Love your enemies. 

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't challenged by that last one; love your enemies. Jesus had quite a few of them. Some were ordinary people, many were religious leaders, and there was one who disguised himself among His disciples; Judas. Judas is introduced to us in John chapter 6 as the disciple who betrayed Jesus:

“‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.” John 6:64

“He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.” John 6:70

The relationship dynamic between Jesus and Judas is hard for me to wrap my head around. It doesn't make any sense in the natural world. Judas walked with Jesus. He sat under Him as a student, witnessed the many miracles Jesus performed; he ate with Jesus, let Jesus wash his feet, called Him Lord; and after all that, still betrayed Him. 

Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him, yet He still washed his feet, still ate with him, never excluded him, and poured the same love and truth into him that He did the other disciples. His actions stayed consistent with the words He'd been teaching and the love He'd been proclaiming. 

If you've ever wondered if Jesus knew what betrayal felt like; this is your reminder that He did. He experienced a betrayal bigger than most of us can fathom. He understands what it feels like to be gossiped about, criticized, falsely accused, and rejected. 

The people of Nazareth attempted to kill Him (see Luke 4:28-30), His brothers doubted Him (see John 7:5), the Pharisees hated Him, the Jews accused him of having a demon (see John 7:20), and Judas sold Him out for twenty pieces of silver. 

If there's anyone in the Bible who knew church hurt, it was Jesus. What blows my mind is that the hurt He experienced didn't change the way He loved or the message He carried. 

There will be people in our lives (like Judas) who reject us and the love we give. But there will be so many more who will come to know Jesus because of the love they've witnessed and received. When we love our enemies, we're giving the world a glimpse of God's love; a love that lights up the darkness and never runs dry. 

Heavenly Father, Your love for us is so much bigger than anything our minds can comprehend. You sent Your Son, who stood in the midst of His enemies, was mocked, betrayed, falsely accused, and yet His love did not falter. We want to reflect that kind of love, but we know that we can't do it on our own. We’re asking You to teach us. Give us the grace, wisdom, and courage to love even those who turn themselves against us. And may the love we show them consistently point them to You and Your unfailing love. In Jesus' name, Amen.