Jesus' Love for Those Who Do Not Recognize Him
Jesus' Love for Those Who Do Not Recognize Him
Jesus' love extends to those who do not recognize him, a theme rooted in biblical teachings. In John 6:64, Jesus is aware of those who do not believe in him, indicating his knowledge of individuals beyond those who acknowledge him [1]. This awareness is not limited to recognition but encompasses a deeper understanding of human hearts.
The biblical concept of God's love is closely tied to Jesus' love. According to 1 John 4:8, "the one who does not love does not know God, because God is love" [2, 3]. This verse establishes that love is a fundamental attribute of God, and by extension, Jesus, as part of the Godhead. Jesus' love for those who do not recognize him is an expression of this divine love.
John Gill's commentary on 1 Peter 1:8 highlights that believers love Jesus because he first loved them [4]. This reciprocal love is not limited to those who have seen Jesus but extends to those who have come to know him through the Gospel. Similarly, Gill's interpretation of Isaiah 55:5 notes that Jesus calls a nation he knows, emphasizing his knowledge and love for those who may not initially recognize him [5].
The love of Christ is described as "special and peculiar; free and Sovereign; as early as his Father's love, and is durable and unchangeable" in John Gill's commentary on Ephesians 3:18 [6]. This love is not conditioned on human recognition but is a fundamental aspect of Jesus' character. It is demonstrated through his actions, such as his willingness to die for those who would eventually come to believe in him.
Jesus' love is also corrective and disciplinary, as seen in Revelation 3:19, where he disciplines those he loves [7]. This aspect of his love is not limited to those who recognize him but is a broader expression of his care for his followers.
In the view of John Gill, Jesus' knowledge of his sheep is "universal, special, distinct, and exact" [8]. This knowledge is accompanied by an affectionate love, demonstrating that Jesus' love is not dependent on human recognition. Rather, it is a pre-existing reality that underlies his relationship with humanity.
The biblical concept of love is reciprocal, as seen in Proverbs 8:17, where wisdom (often interpreted as Christ) says, "I love them that love me" [9]. However, Jesus' love precedes human love for him, as emphasized in 1 John 4:19, "We love because he first loved us." This precedence underscores the unconditional nature of Jesus' love.
Jesus' love for those who do not recognize him is a manifestation of his divine love, which is a core aspect of his character. This love is not limited by human perception or response but is an enduring and unchanging attribute of Jesus. As such, it serves as a foundation for understanding his interactions with humanity, both in his earthly ministry and beyond.
Sources
- John “John 6:64 (Darby) — But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would deliver him up.”
- I John “I John 4:8 (LEB) — The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
- 1 John “1 John 4:8 (NASB) — The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
- 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 1:8: Whom having not seen, ye love,.... That is, Jesus Christ, whom they had never seen with their bodily eyes, being Jews, who dwelt not in Judea, when Christ was upon earth, but were scattered about in several parts of the Gentile world; and yet Christ being made known to them, through the preaching of the Gospel, they received and embraced him, and their affections were strongly set upon him: they loved him because of his excellencies and perfections, because of the loveliness of his person, and because he first loved them; they loved him because of the fulness of grace”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 55:5: Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not,.... And even nations, as in the next clause; not all the individuals of them, though the Gospel is sent to all nations; and in the latter day the kingdoms of this world shall be the Lord's, and all nations shall serve him. It denotes a great concourse of people to Christ, even such as were not known by him: he knows all mankind as he is the omniscient God, and especially them that are his, these he has a special and peculiar knowledge of; he knows them as his beloved, chosen, and redeemed ones, even before conver”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:18: And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,.... The love of Christ to his own, to his church and people, is special and peculiar; free and Sovereign; as early as his Father's love, and is durable and unchangeable; the greatest love that ever was heard of; it is matchless and unparalleled; it is exceeding strong and affectionate, and is wonderful and surprising: the instances of it are, his engaging as a surety for them; his espousing both their persons and their cause; his assumption of their nature; his dying in their room and stead; his payment of th”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 3:19: 3:19 Christ will correct and discipline those whom he loves (Prov 3:11-12; Heb 12:5-6), rather than rejecting them. His faithfulness extends even to the unfaithful (2 Tim 2:13).”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 10:14: I am the good shepherd,.... See Gill on Joh 10:11. And know my sheep; so as to call them all by their names: Christ has an universal, special, distinct, and exact knowledge of all his sheep, as they are the choice of his Father, as his Father's gift to him; and as his own purchase; he bears an affectionate love to them, and takes special care of them; indulges them with intimate communion with himself; and owns and acknowledges them as his, both here and hereafter: and I am known of mine; not in a general way, as devils and external professors may know him, but wit”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 8:17: I love them that love me,.... Those that love Christ are such who are born again, and have a spiritual and experimental knowledge of him; that believe in him, have seen his loveliness, have had his love shed abroad in their hearts, and a view of his fulness and suitableness; some comfortable apprehensions of their relation to him, and interest in him, and are indulged with communion with him: the love with which such souls love Christ springs from their very hearts, is cordial and sincere; it gives him the preference to all objects, to all creatures, angels or men, ”