Chapter 3 Jesus Is the Revelation of God's Love

Jesus is the revelation of God to humanity. He is the love of God revealed to us-the manifestation of God to the world. To know Jesus is to know God. To know Him is to know the love of God. To experience Jesus is to experience God. To experience Jesus is to experience love.

This is why Paul prayed that believers would be imparted with divine wisdom:

"...to see clearly and really understand who Christ is..." -Ephesians 1:17 TLB

Why Knowing Jesus Matters

Why is it necessary for believers to know Jesus? Why should we seek to understand Him?

Because, according to Scripture:

"Jesus is the dazzling radiance of God's splendor, the exact expression of God's true nature-His mirror image..." -Hebrews 1:3 TPT

Another translation puts it this way:

"He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature..." -Hebrews 1:3 AMPC

Jesus is the fullest revelation of God possible to humanity.

Jesus and the Father Are One

When one of His disciples asked Him to show them the Father, Jesus responded:

"Philip, I've been with you all this time and you still don't know who I am? How could you ask Me to show you the Father? For anyone who has looked at Me has seen the Father." -John 14:9 TPT

In Jesus-His life, ministry, and sacrifice-we clearly see who God is. His character and nature are fully revealed in Christ. He is the complete embodiment of the Godhead. As Scripture affirms,

"...in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." -Colossians 2:9

God Is Love-Fully Revealed in Christ

One profound truth we discover in Christ is that God is love (1 John 4:8). He is love personified. Love is His divine nature, His eternal character, and His perfect attribute. Love is the very atmosphere of God. All His will, plans, and purposes are wrapped in love.

The Gospels are filled with accounts of Jesus demonstrating divine love. Oh, the love of Jesus! It's unlike any mortal love. It is selfless. It is holy. It is beyond description. When we look at Jesus, we see love in action.

Love Personified

One day, as Jesus walked through the street amidst a great crowd that followed Him, a leper came and fell at His feet in worship. With eyes desperately pleading for help, the leper said to Jesus:

"Lord, you have the power to heal me... if you really want to."

Then, Scripture tells us that Jesus reached out His hand, touched the leper, and said:

"Of course I want to heal you-be healed!"

And instantly, all signs of leprosy disappeared!-Matthew 8:2–3 TPT

This man was a social outcast because of his leprosy. Yet Jesus reached out and touched him.

I can only imagine what it meant to that man when the hand of Jesus made contact with his diseased body. He had probably never been touched by anyone-except perhaps other lepers. It was considered an abomination to have any physical contact with a leper. But that day, Jesus didn't just speak to him-He did something far more powerful: Jesus touched him.

Why? Because God is love, and Jesus wanted this man to know it-not just in words, but in action.

Go and Sin No More

The beloved apostle John tells the story of a woman caught in the act of adultery. The account clearly stated that she was caught in the very act. In Nigeria, we'd say she was caught "red-handed." The religious leaders, armed with the verdict of the law which demanded that she be stoned to death, brought her before Jesus. But this wasn't just about justice-they were hoping to trap Jesus in His words.

However, Jesus' response completely disarmed them.

Looking at both the woman and her accusers, Jesus said:

"Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." -John 8:7 AMPC

You probably know the rest of the story. One by one, starting from the oldest, they all dropped their stones and walked away-until only Jesus and the woman remained in the temple court.

It's important to note that this woman was guilty as charged. She deserved the punishment the law demanded-and she knew it. She didn't even beg or plead for mercy.

But the Master had a different judgment. Turning to the woman, Jesus asked:

"Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" -John 8:10

She replied, "No, Lord."

Then Jesus said:

"Neither do I. Go and sin no more."-John 8:11

Jesus could have condemned her. By law, He had the right to. But He chose not to. And if He had, no one would have faulted Him-after all, she brought it upon herself.

Nevertheless, He chose mercy over judgment.

This is love-love extended toward a guilty sinner.

Jesus chose to give life instead of death.

Walk in the Love Way

The journey of The Love Way begins here: knowing that God is love. Every principle, practice, and promise in this book flows from that revelation. As you read through these pages, open your heart to receive and respond to God's love. Let it heal you, transform you, and lead you.

You were created to be loved by God-and to reflect that love to the world.

Reflection Questions

1. How does seeing Jesus as the exact image of God shape your understanding of who God really is?

2. When you think about the way Jesus treated the leper and the woman caught in adultery, how does it challenge the way you treat others-especially the outcasts or guilty?

3. In what ways can you personally reflect the love of God that Jesus demonstrated, not just in words but in actions?

4. What misconceptions about God's nature might still influence your relationship with Him, and how can you allow the life of Jesus to correct them?