LOVED LIKE JESUS

?????¦Then the world will know that you sent me and will understand that you love them as much as you love me.??? ??“ John 17:23b (NLT)

            There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you know without a doubt that you are loved. I??™m not much of a sentimentalist, but like most of you, I feel a deep sense of security and satisfaction in knowing that there are people who truly love me, even with all of my faults evident to them.  My parents, my wife, my siblings, my children, and the many friends made over the years come to mind as I consider whose love I can count on come what may.

            The love that stands out most of all is the love that God has for me. In Jesus??™ prayer He states that the Father loves the followers of Christ just as much as He loves the Christ Himself! If you are one of Jesus??™ disciples, you need to know that you are loved like Jesus is loved. It is hard to conceive the level of love that the Father has for the Son. But even with our finite knowledge we can comprehend at some level that it is a love greater than anything we have ever experienced, or ever will experience, from those closest to us. It is the kind of love that says, ???No matter who you are, or what you??™ve done, I am here for you until the very end.??? It is the kind of love that shows up right when we need it ??“ all the time!

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, how can You love someone like me? How can You know my every thought and still care for me in this way? I??™m taken aback by the fact that You love me like You love Jesus. May  I love You the same in return.