Jesus Loves You. PERIOD

Did you know that Jesus loves you? I realize that seems like an incredibly childlike, obvious saying, but do you know it? Know that Jesus loves you no matter the mistakes you've made, the mistakes you're going to make? Loves you unconditionally not because of who you are, but because of who He is? An endless love that can't be earned, bought, bartered, or sold? Jesus loves you, PERIOD.

In reviewing the call of Matthew to discipleship (Matt.9:9-13), author Brennan Manning in his book The Ragamuffin Gospel puts it like this:

Here is revelation bright as the evening star: Jesus comes for sinners, for those as outcast as tax collectors and for those caught up in squalid choices and failed dreams. He comes for corporate executives, street people, superstars, farmers, hookers, addicts, IRS agents, AIDS victims, and even used-car salesmen. Jesus not only talks with these people but dines with them--fully aware that His table fellowship with sinners will raise the eyebrows of religious bureaucrats who hold up the robes and insignia of their authority to justify their condemnation of the truth and their rejection of the gospel of grace.

Jesus wants to be with us. We're all like Zaccheus or Matthew or the woman caught in adultery. We've all made mistakes, we're all screwed up, and we all need grace. And God, because He loves us unconditionally gives it to us freely. As Paul puts it: "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Eph. 2:8-10).

So, I'll ask the question again. Do you know that Jesus loves you, PERIOD? Do you really know it deep down, in your soul? Do you see that there is NOTHING you can do to make God love you more? After all, as Thomas Merton puts it, "A saint is not someone who is good but who experiences the goodness of God." Have you felt that goodness in your life? Do you want to?

If the answer is YES, let the words of Jesus enter your heart:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30).