August 1, 2012 Jesus Loves You

Jesus Loves You Matt 14:13-14 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. DO YOU want to know if Jesus loves you? Look here, and you will see Jesus’ love. Jesus is responding to the news of John the Baptist’s death. He goes off by himself. He grieves what has happened to his earthly cousin and his Spiritual child. It certainly was under God’s sovereignty that John died, and his death fit the whole purpose of God’s plan of salvation. Yet, Jesus grieves John’s death, necessary to conquer sin. To fulfill God’s purpose of salvation, some, such as John the Baptist, are called to martyrdom. I can’t tell you why God doesn’t arrange it in other ways, but I do know the evidence is clear through the centuries that some who stand for Christ and proclaim his name, are taken to Heaven “early” from our worldly point of view. Jesus mourns the need for death. He mourns for the sin that is in your heart. He weeps for the limitations sin puts on your life. And then lovingly he does something about it. He has compassion on those who are ill and have come to him to be healed. He loves them. He wants them whole. He wants them to experience the fullness of his restoration powers—to bring peace back to his people who are broken because of sin. Then Jesus himself would die as the sacrificial Lamb of God. He would rise from the tomb and ascend to heaven, so you might live forever. It’s True! Jesus hates sin. He loves you.