Being like Jesus, now there is a challenge for all of us. The first step of this challenge is to make sure we are actually being like Jesus.
I read an article about a man who is considered by his peers to be the nicest man in his profession. After reading his story, I would tend to agree. He loved people and he did everything he could to make those around him happy.
I found myself wondering if those of Jesus’ day would have said the same thing about Jesus that the peers of Stan Musial said about him. I rather doubt it.
Now don’t get me wrong. There is not question Jesus was kind. He took time for people. He gave up himself for others. He was never too busy for anyone and he treated all with the same dignity and forthrightness.
He loved people, there is no doubt. But his love may not have always been recognized as such, at least not at the first. His love was more like the love of a father or a mother. It might take some maturing before it could be recognized as true and genuine love.
Jesus wasn’t interested in making you happy, at least not in the happiness of the moment. He wanted to make you right. He wanted to bring you completely and totally to God. He knew that was the only way to bring you to true and lasting joy.
His love was not, and still is not, always appreciated. But it is most definitely true love.