Topical Bible: The Love of Christ: Exemplified Towards: His Apostles

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The love of Christ towards His apostles is a profound theme in the New Testament, illustrating His deep care, patience, and commitment to those He chose to carry forth His message. This love is not only a model for Christian relationships but also a testament to the divine nature of Christ's mission on earth.

Calling and Choosing the Apostles

Christ's love for His apostles is first demonstrated in His intentional selection of them. In Mark 3:13-14 , it is recorded, "Then Jesus went up on the mountain and called for those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him and to be sent out to preach." This calling was an act of love, as He chose them to be His closest companions and entrusted them with the continuation of His work.

Teaching and Patience

Throughout His ministry, Jesus exhibited patience and dedication in teaching His apostles. Despite their misunderstandings and failures, He consistently guided them with love. In Mark 9:31-32 , Jesus teaches them about His impending death and resurrection, even though they did not fully comprehend. His willingness to repeatedly instruct them, as seen in various passages, underscores His commitment to their spiritual growth.

Servant Leadership

Christ's love is further exemplified in His demonstration of servant leadership. In John 13:1-5 , Jesus washes the feet of His disciples, an act of humility and service. "Before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end." This act was a powerful expression of love, teaching them to serve one another selflessly.

Intercessory Prayer

In John 17, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays for His apostles, showing His deep concern for their well-being and mission. John 17:9 states, "I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me, for they are Yours." His prayer reflects His love and desire for their protection and unity.

Sacrificial Love

The ultimate demonstration of Christ's love for His apostles is found in His sacrificial death. In John 15:13 , Jesus declares, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." His willingness to die for them, and indeed for all humanity, is the pinnacle of His love, providing them with redemption and the promise of eternal life.

Post-Resurrection Appearances

After His resurrection, Jesus continues to show love to His apostles by appearing to them, reassuring them, and commissioning them for their future work. In John 20:19-21 , He appears to them and says, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you." His post-resurrection interactions are filled with encouragement and empowerment, further demonstrating His unwavering love.

Restoration and Forgiveness

A poignant example of Christ's love is His restoration of Peter after his denial. In John 21:15-17 , Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, paralleling Peter's three denials. This act of restoration and forgiveness highlights Christ's love and His desire to restore and strengthen His followers, even after failure.

The love of Christ towards His apostles is a multifaceted and profound aspect of His earthly ministry, characterized by His calling, teaching, service, prayer, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Through these actions, Jesus not only prepared His apostles for their mission but also provided a lasting example of divine love for all believers to emulate.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 13:1,34
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them to the end.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Lord Coming to his Temple
... The purport of this passage has been repeatedly exemplified under the Christian
dispensation. ... He is constrained by love, the love of Christ and the love of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon iv the lord coming.htm

The Trial of Peter's Love to Christ.
... This temper, and its opposite, are exemplified in the pharisee ... ALL THINGS; thou knowest
that I love thee ... In this appeal, Christ was farther honored, by Simon's ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xiii the trial of.htm

The Lambeth Quadrilateral. --
... is ready in the spirit of love and humility, to ... graces and the visible manifestation
of Christ to the ... communions to the principles of unity exemplified by the ...
/.../i the lambeth quadrilateral .htm

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... be centered in one, [303]146; exemplified in a ... of our receiving the Spirit,
[397]105; love between husband ... wonderful exaltation of his nature in Christ, [400] ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... This exemplified in the case of sacrifices, ablutions, and an ... whom he inwardly inspires
with a love of obedience. ... use of them the glory of Christ was obscured. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

The True Gnostic is Beneficent, Continent, and Despises Worldly ...
... of blending, the power of God communicated by Christ. ... his body, resigned all through
love to the ... as consistent with Christian perfection exemplified by apostles ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xii the true gnostic is.htm

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... through faith, [793]304; to be known in the world by their mutual love, [794]ib ... Gluttony,
power of, exemplified in those who would have made Christ a King ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm

Marcus, My Son
... a man like me cannot do for himself, and he does them all for love and nothing ... And
the law will be exemplified most blessedly when Christ shall say ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/marcus my son.htm

The Saviour's Last Command.
... and what has been their deportment towards thee ... Christ, made known its truths and
exemplified its spirit ... O that all who profess to love Christ, manifested such ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter iv the saviours last.htm

Authenticity and Credibility of the Gospel Narratives.
... It was love towards a crucified and risen Saviour in ... firmament, so there is one Jesus
Christ in the ... harmless as doves," he perfectly exemplified throughout his ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter iv authenticity and credibility.htm