Jesus Christ, love of

Jesus Christ's total giving of himself, shown supremely in his obedient suffering and death on the cross, reveals God's amazing love for sinners. It continues to motivate and inspire Christians today.

The supreme quality of Jesus Christ's love

Ephesians 3:17–19 See also Romans 8:35, Romans 8:38–39

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

It caused him to leave his eternal glory

2 Corinthians 8:9 See also Philippians 2:6–8

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

It moved him to give his life for others

1 John 3:16 See also John 10:11, John 10:14–15, John 15:13; Ephesians 5:2; Revelation 1:5

By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

He loves sinners

Luke 23:34 See also Luke 13:34 parallel Matthew 23:37; Luke 23:43

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

He loves each believer

2 Thessalonians 2:13 See also John 10:3–5

But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.

Examples of Jesus Christ's love

It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end.

Jesus Christ's love stems from the Father

He receives the Father's love

John 3:35 See also Matthew 17:5 parallels Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35; Mark 1:11 parallels Matthew 3:17, Luke 3:22; John 5:20, John 14:31

The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands.

His love reveals the Father's love

Romans 5:8 See also John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4–5; 1 John 4:9–10

But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus Christ's love motivates the church

His love indwells believers

John 17:26 See also John 15:9–10; Galatians 2:20; 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 John 4:12

And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”

His love disciplines believers

Revelation 3:19 See also Hebrews 12:5–6; Proverbs 3:11–12; Revelation 3:9

Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.

His love inspires authentic Christian attitudes

John 13:34–35 See also Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 5:43–44, Matthew 22:35–39 parallels Mark 12:28–31, Luke 10:25–27; Luke 6:27; John 15:12; 1 John 3:10

A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

His love inspires Christian marriage

Ephesians 5:25 See also Ephesians 5:28–30

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her

His love inspires a desire for spiritual gifts

1 Corinthians 14:1

Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

His love motivates Christians to live for God

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 See also Romans 8:37; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Colossians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 10:24

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.