True & Beautiful Things About the Bible--New Testamentනියැදිය

The Letter to Titus: Jesus Loves His Church

Say all you want about how dysfunctional the church is, and most of it will be true. But it’s also true that Jesus Christ loves the church and gave Himself for it.

This short letter was to Titus, a young pastor to an immature church on the rocky island of Crete. Paul had a beautiful relationship with Titus and mentions in 2 Corinthians how often he was refreshed by him and his knack for showing up at the right time to help.

Now Titus faced some tough obstacles in his new church body and needed to point them to a more God-honoring life. As was his pattern, he wanted to do this with love. This letter helped him figure out how.

What does it look like to love the people in your church?—you know, the ones only Jesus could love? Perhaps it begins with seeing them as Jesus sees them:

Jesus loves the guy who needs help finding a job.

He loves the one who speaks before they think.

Jesus loves the one who tries hard to do the right thing.

He loves the ones whose brains and bodies don’t work the way they should.

Jesus loves the couple who have wrecked their marriage.

He loves the lady who hasn’t felt whole for a long time.

Jesus loves the teenager going through the deepest hurt they’ve ever felt.

He loves the woman everyone is gossiping about.

Jesus loves the boy who loves a girl who doesn’t love him back.

He loves the guy who wants to believe but doesn’t yet.

Jesus loves the one who loves Him and stands for Him in the most private ways.

He loves the dad with control issues.

Jesus loves the mid-lifer who can’t get off the couch to go try again.

He loves the mom who fights for her kids and feeds their friends.

Jesus loves the guy who battles fear, cancer, and his boss at the same time.

He loves the not-quite-pretty girl who gets ignored, dismissed, or overlooked.

Jesus loves the one who needs help and doesn’t deserve it.

He loves the dad who’s trying to be a role model to a son who’s nothing like him.

Jesus loves the girl who sings at the top of her lungs behind you at church.

He loves the one who worships Him on their morning and evening commute.

Jesus loves us to the greatest degree possible, in the most personal ways ever.

He loves His church. So should we.

Next: “I have a favor to ask.”