TO SEE HIM IS TO LOVE HIM
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!"
John 20:18a (NIV)
When we see Jesus, everything changes. He teaches us an entirely different way of life with new values, priorities and desires. Many of us know, however, what it's like to follow God out of fear, striving to do the right things while never truly knowing His heart. But discipleship to Jesus goes far beyond rule-keeping. He is someone to know and to keep getting to know.
To follow the ways of Jesus without loving Him is legalism. It's the attempt to earn God's favor through action alone. This is the trap many of the religious leaders in Jesus' day fell into: a constant pursuit of outward righteousness while missing the heart of God. But when we're transformed by love instead of legalism, the fruit in our lives begins to change.
Mary Magdalene is a powerful example of what loving Jesus can do. When she encountered Him, she was an outcast, a woman tormented by demons. If anyone had to learn a completely new way of life, it was her. How does a woman once possessed by seven demons become one of Jesus' most devoted disciples, one of the few present at His crucifixion and the first to find the tomb empty?
She truly loved Him.
The mark of a disciple is love-filled obedience. This is not a religious duty, not an allegiance born from fear or condemnation, but love. Love causes us to be brave enough to sit, wait, wrestle, obey, grieve, celebrate and trust. Love reshapes our daily rhythms and choices so that another's good becomes part of our focus, not solely our own. Love inspires us to grow. It inspires obedience.
When Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light, He revealed something true about life with Him. Does this mean a worry-free, stress-free existence? No, because He also tells us in John 16:33 (NIV), "In this world you will have trouble." But it means that with love at the core, whatever He asks of us, however He directs us, whatever He asks us to let go of or pick up, His love will take the lead. Love makes obedience costly sometimes, but never meaningless.
APPLICATION: To see Him is to love Him. Take a few moments today to reflect on a characteristic of Jesus. As you read Scripture and pray throughout your day, ask Him to reveal His heart to you more deeply and draw you closer to Him.
PRAYER: Jesus, I love You. I ask You to teach me how to love You even more and let Your love be the thing that changes and guides my life. You're worth it. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?