eMeditation on the Bible
 
Question: What concern did Jesus express to his followers after his resurrection?
 
According to the vision of Jesus (Revelation 2:1-4, excerpted & paraphrased)
Here are the words of [the resurrected] Jesus, who says,
“I know what you are doing. You work long and hard. I know you do not share the attitudes of people who dishonor our heavenly father. You have been faithful to God and have endured hardships and troubles as result. I know about your persistence, your courage in remaining loyal to God regardless of the challenges that you have faced. You have not given up on knowing God.
 
“But there is a way in which you have disappointed me. Your love for God is not as deep as it was when you began to follow me. Restore the early love for God that you had at the beginning when you entered God’s family as sons and daughters of your heavenly father.”
 
Background
In the last book of the Bible, Revelation, the author, a member of Jesus’ inner circle named John, had a vision of the resurrected Jesus which included seven messages to followers of Jesus in seven cities in the Roman province of West Asia named Asia Minor. Today it is modern Turkey.
 
The first message was addressed Jesus’ followers in Ephesus, the capital of the Asia Minor. It was a prosperous business center and proud guardian of the temple to Diana, one of the seven wonders of the world.
 
General Principles
Jesus praised the Ephesian followers for their hard work, endurance during troubles and courage to face difficult challenges as followers of Jesus. Nevertheless, one major concern was brought to their attention: They had lost the initial intensity of their love for God. They had begun to take God’s love for granted; in other words, their relationship with God was no longer special to them as it had been at the beginning. They did not appreciate how God was always with them and providing strength and guidance as they had when they first entrusted their lives to God. Their relationship with God was now becoming routine and ordinary for them.
 
Personal Application
Just as God’s goodness and kindness to us are motivated by God’s pure and powerful love, so also our love for God nurtures our relationship with our heavenly father and enables the relationship to grow deeper and stronger. Maintaining and growing in our relationship with God requires continuing cultivation of our love for our heavenly father.
 
Respond by Growing
What can you do this week to express your love to God and strengthen your love for him? How can you make deepening your relationship with your heavenly father an ongoing part of your life?
 
Responsive Prayer
What amazing love you have shown to me, dear heavenly father. I do not want to allow my love for you to become weak and lukewarm when you have been so kind to me. Help me to always remember that my relationship with you is all about love.