Jesus loved the man in Mark 10:21. He loves everybody, so why point that out? Maybe because it means more than a generic Jesus-loves-everybody kind of love? Maybe it points out that He loved what the man was doing? Maybe it points out that what He did next was an expression of love? Lord, may I kneel before you as this man did. May I seek your answers to my questions. May I obey your commands as this man did. Please tell me the truth as you told this man. Please challenge me. Please teach me to lay up treasure in heaven. Love me for my good, oh God.
In John 8:42, Jesus said if God is our Father, we will love Jesus. It was not the other way around, that I loved Jesus and so became born again. The new birth taught me to love Him. So many treasures are found in the new birth, so many things we take for granted, like even the ability to say, "I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship You!" Oh, God, thank You that I may love You! Thank You that I may get to know You and learn to love You more faithfully!
John 11:5, Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. So He worked in their lives (and death!) to glorify God. So He disappointed them. So He did not give them what they initially asked for. So He endured their misunderstanding. So He wept with them. So He showed them greater blessings through greater sorrow. Oh God, it frightens me to ask You to love me as much as You loved these three, but this I do ask. I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.
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