A Word of Encouragement

October 14, 2025

Burning Heart - Circa 1976

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

As Jesus was walking along, He turned to the large crowd that was following Him and said,

If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
	Luke 14:26-27

Every commentary I read, and many English translations say Jesus was comparing our love for each other to our love for Him our love for Him. "Our love for Him should make our love for others - even our love for ourselves - seem like hatred." In other statements, Jesus tells us to love everyone - even our enemies. "This I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:17) "Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 19:19) And "I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you." (Luke 6:27) In fact Jesus said people will know that we follow Him by our love for each other! (John 13:35)

From those statements, it is obvious, Jesus does not want us to hate each other. So why would He make that statement? The answer maybe in Jesus’ conversation with Peter after Peter denied he even knew Jesus.

Now when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs."
	John 21:15

"If you love Jesus more than anything else,

let His love show in how you treat others."

Imagine if we treated each other with His love!

Adoneinu - Lord Jesus - Help me love like You love me.

The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.
	Psalm 145:9

Tend His lambs,