LOVING THE HARD TO LOVE In Christ – Part 8 7/20/2025 “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:10-11 ESV It’s easy to love the lovable. But what do we do with those who frustrate us, oppose us, or even betray us? I. Jesus Loved Those Who Were Difficult He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and receive him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:1–10 ESV Jesus demonstrated that divine love sees past behavior to the image of God in every person. II. Jesus Taught Love for Enemies You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43–44, 48 ESV But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you… Luke 6:27–36 ESV Loving enemies is not optional—it is a command. III. We Are Commanded to Love as Christ Loved In today’s “cancel culture,” it's common to discard people. But in Christ, we are called to reconciliation and steadfast love. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34–35 ESV For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6–8 ESV Who are the people you avoid or judge harshly? How can you begin seeing them through God’s eyes? You may not change them—but love will change you. The fruit of abiding is not always immediate but always transformational. Talk About It 1. Who do you find hard to love? 2. How has Christ loved you when you were undeserving? 3. What’s one step you can take this week to express agapē to someone difficult? 4. How does abiding in Jesus help you love beyond your emotions?