I Love Jesus so much!

As you read these words above or hear these words, you may ask some questions like students in my Bible classes would ask.

“Mr. Redding, why do you love Jesus so much? Is it because you are a Bible class teacher? Or is it because you went to a Christian schools and colleges a good portion of your life younger life? Or maybe it is because He has given you a wonderful wife and daughters and extended family and friends? Or maybe it is because the Lord has provided for you all your life and you never had to suffer with out food or without shelter? Or maybe it is because He has placed you in a good town, a good neighborhood, a good church and just all around good places? Or maybe because He has lead you, even though you have cancer and an aneurysm, to good doctors, nurses, health facilities, and godly counsel? Or we know, Mr. Redding, it is because you have the best students (remember this is from the students’ perspective) ever in your teaching history? Or… “ (and their list grows of blessings and benefits from others’ and from God’s hand ). And all of these blessings, gifts and benefits evoke praise and thanksgiving to God, but not always necessarily much LOVE. In fact, concentrating too much on the gifts, those gifts can become idols if not consistently brought into check.

But why does Mr. Redding love Jesus so much? It is the same reason that a woman loved Jesus so much in the days of Christ’s earthly ministry found in scripture. If you don’t know the answer to why I love Jesus so much, you will have to read Luke 7:36-50 to get the answer. (Please take a few moments to read the most important part of anything I would quote or write about – His Word.)

If you find yourself identifying with the woman in the Bible who loved Jesus so much, thank Him for showing you that which, if undetected, is also the same thing that has drawn all men away from loving Him most. He, alone for no other reason, He is worthy of all creation’s love. But our sin has separated us from our God (Is 59:1-2) and that sin, un-confessed, un-repented from, un-detected, un-revealed, un-abolished, un-cleansed from our soul, will keep us from truly loving Jesus.

But look at Luke 7:36-50 again (I love to read His word a second, third, etc. time), look at what happens when we truly understand our debt because of our sin and know there is nothing any mere man can do about this sin. That by the blood of our Lord Jesus, His sacrificial obedience to the Father and love for the world (John 3:16), we have peace with God (Eph. 2:13, Col. 1:20, Heb. 13:20, John 1:7, and are thus freed, to love Him so much.

I have such a debt that only the Man/Son of God, Christ Jesus, could pay and that truly is one reason why I love Him so much. And that is why you too love Him so much.