God's Love For Man

It was to reveal to the world the infinite love of the Father that Jesus came to live with us. "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself." (1) "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." (2) When one of the disciples made the request, "Show us the Father," Jesus answered, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me. He who has seen Me has seen the Father." (3)

Just before entering the garden of Gethsemane where He was betrayed, He prayed for His disciples and for you and me. He said, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (4)

In describing His earthly mission, Jesus read a passage from the book of Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (5) Then he closed the book and sat down. The life of Jesus was a life of love and service to His human brothers and sisters. And this was not only on His behalf, but also for His Father, because "the Father Himself loves you." (6)

Following His resurrection, Jesus said, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God." (7)

Jesus represented God, the Father, and His love for you and me in all that He did. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!.. Now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him… And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as His is pure." (8)

1. 2 Corinthians 5:19.
2. John 1:18.
3. John 14:9.
4. John 17:20, 21.
5. Luke 4:18, 19 & Isaiah 61:1, 2.
6. John 16:27.
7. John 20:17.
8. 1 John 3:1-3.