Monday, December 18, 2023
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.
Luke 6:27
An Unexpected Love
Jesus loved people in an unexpected way. One act of love that we see from His is how He washed the disciples' feet. Normally a master does not serve his disciples. No one at the table "expected" Jesus to wash their feet.
That’s what love does. Love does what no one expects to be done for them. He didn’t have to get down on His knees and wash the disciples’ feet. But He did it. He did it because he loved them, and he wanted to express His love for them. He did it to show them how they were to love. This simple and yet profound act would touch them for the rest of their lives.
What exactly does unexpected love look like for us? What would it look like if we all began showing love to our enemies instead of hate? Jesus also exampled true love by loving his enemies. Judas was there and Jesus knew he was going to betray Him, but He washed his feet too. What would it look like if we stopped seeing those around us as our enemies, and instead tried to view them as Jesus does?
Maybe unexpected love looks like loving the unlovable, the people who would never expect a kind word or deed to come their way. Maybe unexpected love looks like trying to understand where your child is coming from and what they are feeling before reacting. Maybe unexpected love looks like the smallest deed of kindness – maybe even a deed you did not know you were doing. Maybe it is just a smile or a phone call. The unexpected love we show others may be what gets them through the hardest times in their lives.
Jesus loved with an unexpected love. He loved sinners and believers alike. He loves us and He gives us more chances to turn from our sin and come to Him than we could ever possibly deserve. He loves in spite of. He loves even though. He loves no matter what. He even loved them men that nailed Him to the cross. Unexpected love is loving the unexpectant in the most unexpected way - unconditionally.
Who can you show the unexpected love of Jesus Christ to? How different our world would look today if we all modeled the example that Jesus gave in His boundless love to the world. As believers we can make a difference in a world filled with hate and violence where love would be the most unexpected thing. Spread some unexpected love to those around you today.
This is my commandment. Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12
