Loved as much as God loves Jesus!

Do you believe it?  You are, I am, loved as much as God loves Jesus.

Jesus said so–as He talked to God about us  in prayer. I love this passage,  Jesus’ prayer for me and you–a prayer for us to discover unity and love. In John 17, as He prayed for protection of His disciples, His thoughts turned to you and me:

“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. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17:20-23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“You have sent me and have loved them AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME.”

God loves us as God has loved Jesus.  Period.  Revel in that for a moment!  Hold that close in your heart.

What a beautiful prayer! I think it especially appeals to us as women–to be united in love. That ONE-NESS starts with Jesus. He came to call us to Himself and died that we could be united with Him and the Father–wholly forgiven and made to be holy. He has made us his sisters, the daughters of God! He united us as His family. We are one with God, as loved and accepted as Jesus–because of Jesus. That love, Jesus prayed, will show the world that God sent His son and that God loves us just as He loves Jesus.

Today, Father, overwhelm us with Your love for us so that we can’t help but overwhelm others with love-even and especially at work. Speak kindness through our words. Show understanding in our eyes. Share gentleness in our touch. Bring peace in our hearts so powerful that the room around us relaxes, people near us breathe deeper, and feel free to laugh–deep, joyful, belly laughs–because God loves us  as much as Jesus.