God loves every believer just like He loves Jesus. Can you imagine such a truth?
I was recently at my Aunt’s funeral, and my cousin shared this verse and truth. I had to come home and dig deeper. I knew his statement was true but hadn’t meditated on it enough.
God loves us. We all know that. But how much does He love us? Does He like us? Could He love us just like He loves His Son? How does He express His love for Jesus, His Son? His love for us is not just a general, distant affection. It’s personal, it’s intimate, and it’s as deep as His love for His Son. God values and cherishes us.
Notice John 17:23 says that He has loved us as He has loved Jesus. I have checked everything I can, and the verse is clear. He loves us like He loves Jesus.
How does the Father Love the Son?
The Father loved the Son before the foundation of the world. John 17:24.
God called Him His beloved Son and stated that He was well pleased with Jesus, the Son. Matthew 3:17.
He showed his love by trusting Jesus with all authority and power. Matthew 28:18.
The Father loved the Son, giving all things into His hands. John 3:35.
The Father and the Son are One, an unbreakable unity. John 10:30.
The Father is in the Son, and the Son is in the Father. John 10:38.
The Father shows the Son all the things that He is doing. John 5:20.
How does the Father love believers?
He has granted us an incredible intimacy, allowing us to call Him Abba or Daddy. Romans 8:15.
He has called us His children. I John 3:1.
He is concerned about the most minor details in our lives. Matthew 6:26-32.
He promises us security where no one can snatch us from His hands. John 10:29.
Christ accepts us (Ephesians 1:6).
We have intimate access to the Father through Christ. Ephesians 2:18.
He is transforming us into the image of Christ. II Corinthians 3:18.