Difficult people. We encounter them everywhere. In our families. On the road. In the grocery store. They dart into the parking place we wanted, or cut us off in traffic. We see them at the DMV, when frustration becomes anger. They challenge us with their negative attitudes. Some just annoy us. They come to us with inconvenient demands. Some people are rude. Others can be hateful. Sometimes people are just unlovable.
Yet, Jesus tells us to love them. All of them. And not just to love them, but to love in the way He does. Whoa!
The night before He went to the cross, Jesus said to His disciples, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34, NIV) He emphasized this command by repeating it later that same night. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12, NIV)
As I have loved you. It seems impossible. Jesus encountered plenty of difficult people. They put demands on Him for His time, and for His energy. They wanted His healing touch. They required His patience. Crowds showed up when He wanted a retreat with His disciples. He saw their need. He shared the word of God and gave them food. He met both their physical and spiritual needs. His disciples woke Him up when He was exhausted because they were afraid of the storm. An angry crowd of Pharisees was so filled with hate, they crucified Him.
In each case, Jesus saw through their confusing veneers to the real needs of their hearts and loved them all. He had compassion. He patiently healed them, taught them, fed them, prayed for them to be forgiven, and died for them. He died for us.
Perhaps our world is peopled with those who can be difficult, because the Lord wants us to learn how to love everyone–like He does. Perhaps, He wants us to see that we ourselves are difficult and unlovable at times. The truth is we all have our unlovable moments. We can be difficult and demanding. Our attitudes can be annoying to those around us. Jesus loves us when we are at our most unlovable selves.
As we learn to love the unlovable from our perspective, our hard hearts are softened. As we learn to see people as He sees them, reach out to their needs, and pray for them, we have an opportunity to see God’s miraculous work. He can soften their hearts and draw them into His kingdom through our kindness.
The Bible tells us that no one has seen God, but if we love each other, He lives in us and His love is brought to full expression in us. (I John 4:12, NLT). Our love for others is the evidence that His love is in us. When we show our love for difficult people they have a chance of seeing and knowing Him.
It is easy to love people who love us. Jesus wants us to learn to love those who despise and reject us, so we can see His love at work in their lives, and in ours.
“A new command I give you: As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
What do you think? I would love to know. Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
Image by Rosy from Pixabay
Copyright 2023 Phyllis l. Farringer
OUCH! Thanks for the truth, Phyllis. :\
Thank you, Nora
Thank you, Phyllis!
Thank you, Debby
It is inevitable that we will encounter difficult people everyday. I pray that I will respond in love! Thank you Mrs Phyllis!
Thank you, Shelby. May we all respond in love.