Christmas is about love and charity. Faith and prayers too. Some receive miracles in healing and other provisions. Some receive reconciliation in relationship. Some receive restoration of losses, financial and matters of value. Prayers, requests and wishes answered and granted. All receive gifts in various forms expected and unexpected. Jesus led by serving, and He loved by serving. He washed feet. He fed thousands. He walked to visit and heal the sick and dead.
Here are some Bible verses on what the Lord expects of Christian believers.
God’s initiative to love us:
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 13:1
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
God expects us to love our brethren in Christ just as He loves us:
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:35
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 14:23
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
John 15:9
Love and Joy Perfected
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
John 15:17
These things I command you, that you love one another.
1 John 2:10
He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
1 John 3:17
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1 John 4:8
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
God expects us to love God and then love mankind (including kind acts toward enemies even those who are not grateful to God):
Matthew 22:37
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:39
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Luke 6:27
Love Your Enemies
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
In summary: Jesus has shown us His perfect love and kindness toward those who have no way of repaying Him. Crowds followed Him and traveled miles just to hear him speak. Healing the sick, feeding the hungry, teaching the people, caring for the widow, and defending children, Jesus lived 33 years of perfect kindness.
Application: Jesus is our role model. Regardless of sizes and financial limitation, many churches are practicing this charity and kindness especially during festive occasions. Who is my neighbor? How may I serve them this Christmas? How may I show Jesus to them?
2024-12-20 Καὶnos
p/s: Jesus taught that we should give food to the hungry, shelter to those who have none, and clothes to the poor. When we visit the sick and those who are in prison, it is as if we were doing these things for Him instead. He promises that as we do these things, we will inherit His kingdom. (See Matthew 25:34–46.) Whilst there are various interpretation on this passage, we can note that Jesus is talking about meeting the physical needs of people while on earth.
