Following Jesus Means Loving Others

 
 The final aspect of Jesus’ personality that we will discuss is most heartwarming—his love for fellow humans. The apostle Paul wrote: “The love the Christ has compels us.” (2 Cor. 5:14) When we reflect on the love that Jesus has for mankind in general and for us as individuals, our hearts are touched and we feel compelled to follow his example.
 
 How did Jesus show love for others? His willingness to surrender his soul in mankind’s behalf was the ultimate expression of his love. (John 15:13) However, during his ministry, Jesus also showed love in other ways. For instance, he had fellow feeling for those who were suffering. When he saw Mary and those with her weeping over the death of Lazarus, he was greatly touched by their sorrow. Although he was about to resurrect Lazarus, Jesus was so moved that he “gave way to tears.”—John 11:32-35.
 
 Early in Jesus’ ministry, a leper approached Jesus and said: “If you just want to, you can make me clean.” How did Jesus respond? The record says: “He was moved with pity.” He then did something extraordinary. “He stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him: ‘I want to. Be made clean.’ And immediately the leprosy vanished from him, and he became clean.” Under the Mosaic Law, lepers were unclean, and Jesus could certainly have healed the man without physical contact. Yet, as Jesus healed the leper, he allowed him to feel the touch of another human, perhaps for the first time in years. What a tender act of compassion!—Mark 1:40-42.
 
 As followers of Christ, we are called on to demonstrate our love by showing “fellow feeling.” (1 Pet. 3:8) It may not be easy to understand the feelings of a fellow believer who is suffering from a chronic illness or deep depression—especially if we have never experienced such things ourselves. Still, Jesus empathized with the sick even though he himself was never sick. How can we cultivate similar empathy? By patiently listening as suffering ones open up their hearts to us. We could also ask ourselves, ‘If I were in their situation, how would I feel?’ If we cultivate sensitivity to the feelings of others, we will be better able to “speak consolingly to the depressed souls.” (1 Thess. 5:14) Thus we will be following Jesus.
 
 What a thrilling field of study we find in the words and deeds of Jesus Christ! The more we learn about him, the more we want to be like him—and the more we want to help others to do the same. By all means, then, let us find delight in following the Messianic King—now and forever!