WWJD

Scriptures: Matthew 22:37-39, Matthew 5:16

We are given so many choices in life, and one of the best choices we can make is to love others. Throughout this series, we are going to observe how Jesus chose to respond to others in love. He never defined each person by their hurt, anger, or rejection – but always brought them into the light of being healed, loved, and acknowledged.

In Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) Jesus says, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” The last line, “loving your neighbor as yourself,” is what we will dive into this week. Each day we will walk through a different story of someone who was touched by the love of Jesus. As you read this plan, visualize the interactions taking place. See how Jesus defied the world and embodied the light of Heaven on earth.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV). Jesus lived this verse, and our hope for you throughout this week is that you will learn to shine your light just as He did.

Scriptures: John 9:1-11, John 11:32-44

Jesus Doesn’t Leave Us in Affliction

In this life, we often face affliction. Whether you have dealt with it first hand, or you were a witness to someone else’s hardships, affliction is unavoidable. In John 9, we encounter a blind man, and in verse three, we find the purpose of his affliction. “‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him’” (John 9:3 NIV). He was blind in order to have a testimony of God’s power. The purpose of his burden was to show others that Jesus can do miracles. 

Another example of affliction turned to redemption is found in the story of Lazarus. He was a friend of Jesus who died before He could arrive to heal him. But that wasn’t the end of the story! Lazarus’ sisters confronted Jesus as to why He did not arrive sooner, and it was once again, to display God’s glory (John 11:40). As Jesus approached the cave where Lazurus laid, He prayed to God, and out came Lazarus! “The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face” (John 11:44 NIV). 

In both examples, Jesus redeemed the stories of the afflicted. He displayed His care, and through His power, revealed God’s glory. From the blind man to Lazarus, we are able to see that Jesus cares for you. A friend does not leave the ones they care for alone in affliction, and what a friend we have in Jesus!

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Jesus Teaches Us Kindness

Think back on a time in your life when you were in the position to help someone in need. Did you give them a hand, or did you leave that person to be attended by someone else? In Luke 10, we find an individual who was robbed, beaten, and left for dead. This man was on his way to Jerusalem when he was stripped of all he had. Multiple people passed by him, but only one person stopped to actually care for him. Luke 10:34 (NIV) says, “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.” This helper is known as The Good Samaritan, who not only stopped in his tracks to bandage this wounded man, but went out of his way to take him where he could be treated further. 

This was one of the many parables Jesus taught, and it shows us how we should treat someone in need. After sharing the parable, Jesus asked the listeners who the neighbor was in this story. In Luke 10:37 (NLT) we read their response: “The man replied, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Yes, now go and do the same.’” 

Jesus used the Good Samaritan as an example of how we can treat others with kindness. As you go throughout this week, ask the Holy Spirit to help you be mindful of those around you. If you see a need, don’t neglect it, and watch how God can shine His kindness through you!

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Jesus Doesn’t Overlook You

Have you ever been out in public where a celebrity is said to be and you try your hardest to find them? A similar situation is found in Luke 19 where a man named Zacchaeus has been informed that Jesus will be passing through his town. Now, Zacchaeus was not your regular Jew. He was a tax collector whom people hated. He was also short, which made it difficult for him to see Jesus through a crowd.

In Luke 19:5 (NIV), we find Zacchaeus climbing a tree so that he may see Jesus. Zacchaeus saw Jesus, and check this out: “When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’” Jesus invites himself over! The crowd is in disbelief that Jesus “has gone to be the guest of a sinner” (Luke 19:7 NIV). But Zacchaeus, unbothered by their comments, came down from the tree and promised to return all he had taken from the people.

The crowd came to see Jesus, but Jesus came to see Zacchaeus. Jesus’ acknowledgement of Zacchaeus changed his heart posture, and the same change stands for you. You are not overlooked! Jesus sees you, and He wants you to know you are loved. Zacchaeus did not know what would take place that day, but Jesus did. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10 NIV). You may be feeling lost right now, but do not lose heart! Jesus sees right where you are and has come to save you.

Scriptures: John 3:1-21, James 1:5, Matthew 7:8

Jesus Welcomes Your Questions

Jesus is not afraid of your questions. As a matter of fact, he welcomes your questions. In John 3, we find Jesus welcoming the questions of Nicodemus, a man who was a leader in the Sanhedrin (also known as the Jewish Ruling Council). Nicodemus knew the Old Testament and all the prophecies about the Messiah. But despite his knowledge, he still misunderstood the concept of faith and water-baptism. Let’s read some of Nicodemus’ questions in John 3:3-4 (NIV):

“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’

‘What do you mean?’ exclaimed Nicodemus. ‘How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’”

As the conversation continues, Jesus begins to reveal what it means to be born again and receive salvation. This was profound! Out of confusion and questions, Nicodemus was given answers – answers that would change his life forever. In later passages, we find Nicodemus faithfully following Jesus (once in John 7:45-52, when he asks if the law condemns a man without trial, and again in John 19:38-42, where he is found bringing spices and linen to properly bury Jesus).

Nicodemus, a man once left to his questions, brought them to Jesus and was transformed. The same Jesus who equipped Nicodemus with wisdom wants to equip you. So come to Jesus with your questions – you might just receive the answer you have been looking for. “For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:8 NLT).

Scriptures: Luke 22:47-53, Matthew 5:43-45, 1 Peter 4:8

Jesus Loves His Enemies

As we go through life, we get hurt. It is inevitable, but it is what we do with that hurt that matters. In Luke 22, we witness Jesus choosing the right response to hurt – love. To give context, Jesus is getting arrested and Peter, out of his anger, cuts off someone’s ear. Now what is amazing is that Jesus, with full knowledge that His death was going to come from this arrest, knew that fighting back was not the solution. “‘No more of this!’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him” (Luke 22:51 NIV). Jesus could have chosen to not heal the man’s ear. He could have chosen to respond in anger like Peter. Instead, Jesus taught us the right response:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:43-44 NIV).

This is probably one of the hardest things to do as a neighbor: to love your enemies. But as we find in this story, Jesus instructs us that love will cover the sins of others (1 Peter 4:8). The greatest example of this is Jesus’ death on the cross. He sacrificed himself and died for sinners like you and me. To truly follow Jesus, we are called to do the same:

• Jesus does not leave us in our affliction, and we walk alongside the afflicted.
• Jesus teaches us kindness, and we extend kindness to others.
• Jesus doesn’t overlook us, and we ask for eyes to see those who are unseen.
• Jesus welcomes our questions, and we respond to questions with grace.
• Jesus loves His enemies, and so do we.

This is what Jesus would do.