Topical Encyclopedia
The love that the disciples had for Jesus is a profound theme throughout the New Testament, reflecting a deep, personal commitment and devotion to their Master. This love is characterized by obedience, sacrifice, and a willingness to follow Jesus even unto death.
Obedience as an Expression of LoveThe disciples' love for Jesus is often demonstrated through their obedience to His teachings and commands. In
John 14:15, Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This verse underscores the connection between love and obedience, suggesting that true love for Jesus is manifested in a life that seeks to adhere to His will. The disciples, despite their human frailties and misunderstandings, consistently sought to align their lives with the teachings of Christ, illustrating their love through their actions.
Sacrificial LoveThe disciples' love for Jesus is also marked by their willingness to sacrifice. In
Matthew 16:24, Jesus calls His followers to a life of self-denial: "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." The disciples, particularly after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, exemplified this sacrificial love. Many faced persecution, imprisonment, and even martyrdom for the sake of the Gospel. Their sacrifices were a testament to their unwavering love and commitment to Jesus.
Personal DevotionThe personal devotion of the disciples to Jesus is evident in their interactions with Him throughout the Gospels. Peter, James, and John, as part of Jesus' inner circle, displayed a unique closeness to Him. In
John 21:15-17, Jesus questions Peter three times, "Do you love Me?" This poignant moment highlights the personal and intimate nature of the disciples' love for Jesus. Peter's affirmative responses, despite his earlier denial, reflect a deep, personal devotion and a desire to reaffirm his love for the Lord.
Love in ActionThe Book of Acts and the Epistles further illustrate the disciples' love for Jesus through their missionary work and the establishment of the early Church. Their love was not passive but active, driving them to spread the message of Christ to the ends of the earth. In
Acts 4:19-20, Peter and John boldly declare, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." This bold proclamation is a reflection of their love for Jesus, compelling them to share His message despite opposition.
Transformation Through LoveThe transformative power of love for Jesus is evident in the lives of the disciples. Before the resurrection, they often struggled with doubt and fear. However, their love for Jesus, especially after witnessing His resurrection, transformed them into bold and courageous leaders of the early Church. This transformation is a testament to the profound impact of their love for Jesus, which empowered them to fulfill the Great Commission (
Matthew 28:19-20).
In summary, the disciples' love for Jesus is a multifaceted theme that encompasses obedience, sacrifice, personal devotion, active service, and transformation. Their love serves as a model for believers, illustrating the depth and breadth of commitment that true love for Christ entails.
Nave's Topical Index
Mark 16:10And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
Nave's Topical IndexLuke 24:17-41
And he said to them, What manner of communications are these that you have one to another, as you walk, and are sad?
Nave's Topical Index
John 20:20
And when he had so said, he showed to them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Love in the Old Covenant.
... the old, and yet a new love, with a new conception, a new motive, a new consecration.
So it is here. So long as they were with Jesus, the disciples loved one ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxix love in the old.htm
Love and the Comforter.
... but from deep inward compulsion we shall love and laud Him who, with captivating
love, has divinely ... Wherefore Jesus assured His disciples: "I will not ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxii love and the comforter.htm
Jesus Gives his Last Commands to his Helpers
... third time he appeared to his disciples after he had risen from the dead. After
breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus gives his last commands.htm
The Ministry of Love, the Blasphemy of Hatred, and the Mistakes of ...
... riches appear in the grab of poverty; so soon did love to Christ ... to the former attempts
of the Pharisees to influence the disciples of Jesus, [2772] and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxii the ministry of.htm
Seventh Appearance of Jesus.
... Peter had boasted of a love toward Jesus superior to that of any of the other disciples
(Matthew 26:33; Mark 14:29; John 13:37), and by refusing to have Jesus ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxl seventh appearance of jesus.htm
God's Love for Man
... this dark shadow, by revealing to the world the infinite love of God, that Jesus
came to live ... When one of the disciples made the request, "Show us the Father ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 1 gods love for.htm
"The Fruit of the Spirit is Love"
... The Lord Jesus Christ came down from Heaven as the Son of ... is, and He lived a life
of love here upon earth in fellowship with His disciples, in compassion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/the fruit of the spirit.htm
John Chapter xv. 8-10.
... by the same evangelist in his epistle: "We love God because ... Mediator between God
and men is the man Christ Jesus. ... is, in the Son, and so be made His disciples. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxxii john chapter xv.htm
Farewell Discourse to Disciples.
... The disciples are to love one another as intensely as Jesus loved them, and the
measure of the intensity of his love is prophetically set forth by an allusion ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxi farewell discourse to disciples.htm
"And this is his Commandment, that we Should Believe on the Name ...
... believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ." And ... a notion of the obligation of charity
and love towards our ... command which Christ left to his disciples when he ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i and this is.htm
Resources
What is love? What is the definition of love? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is agape love? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-love, loving self? | GotQuestions.orgLove: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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