There are many instances in the Bible when Jesus demonstrated his love to people. Examples are Blind Bartimeaus. One day, Jesus came to Jericho. As he was leaving, the disciples and many people followed him. Bartimeaus, a blind beggar and son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out to Jesus for help. He said, ‘Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me’. He did not stop shouting out until Jesus heard him and stopped.
Jesus sent for him. As he was coming, he threw away his garment. When he got to Jesus, Jesus asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you’?
The blind man answered, ‘Master, let me receive my sight’. Jesus replied him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well’. Immediately, the blind man received his sight and followed Jesus. Blind Bartimaeus begging by the road side)
Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and a rich man. One day, Jesus was passing through Jericho. As usual, many people followed him. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus but because he was too short, he could not see Jesus because of the crowd. He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree so that he could see Jesus.
When Jesus came to the sycamore tree, he said to him, ‘Zacchaeus make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today’. Zacchaeus came down from the tree and received Jesus joyfully. The people around murmured because Jesus wanted to be the guest of a sinner.
Zacchaeus on the sycamore tree
When Jesus got to Zacchaeus’ house, he told Jesus that he would give half of his goods to the poor; that if he had cheated anybody of anything, he would pay back four times the amount of the cheating. Jesus told Zacchaeus, ‘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’.
- c) Mary Magdalene
Jesus also demonstrated his love towards Mary Magdalene. Jesus drove out seven demons from her.
Importance of showing love to one another
Jesus demonstrated his love to mankind by healing the sick, delivering the Oppressed, opening the eyes of the blind, healing many diseases, and rising up the dead. We can show love to people by taking care of them.
It is important to show love to one another because
1 Showing love to one another brings peace among people.
2 Showing love makes us draw closer to one another and to God.
3 Showing love to one another brings unity.
4 Showing love to one another brings joy and happiness among people.
Moral lessons
1 God demonstrated his love for us by sending Jesus into the world to die for our sins. We must love one another to the point of giving best gifts to one another.
2 When Bartimaeus was going to Jesus, he removed his garment. We must remove things that will not allow us to receive mercy from God.
3 Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. We must not allow
anything to stop our love for God.
4 We must forgive other people in love. Zacchaeus said that he would pay back four times, if he had taken anything from anybody unjustly. We should be able to pay whatever we owe other people.
Remember
1 God showed his love to mankind by making special provision for mankind.
2 God sends rain upon both the just and the unjust.
3 God’s sun shines on both the evil and good people. God sent his only son Jesus to shed his blood and for mankind.
5 Jesus demonstrated love through healing the sick, various diseases, opening the blind eyes, the oppressed and raising the dead.
6 Jesus demonstrated his love to blind Bartimaeus, Zacchaeus and Mary Magdalene.
7 We are to show love to one another by taking care of the sick, giving good gifts to people, sharing things and being kind to one another.
Guide
Matthew 5: 44 – 48; John 15:12; Mark 10: 46 – 52; Luke 19: 2 – 8
Strategies & Activities:
Step1: Teacher revised the previous topic.
Step2: Teacher introduces the new topic.
Step3: Teacher explains the new topic.
Step4: Teacher welcomes pupils questions.
Step 5: Teacher evaluates the pupils.
Assessment & Evaluation:
- Identify ways by which Jesus showed love to people.
- Identify instances when Jesus demonstrated his love for mankind.
Summary: Teacher goes over the topic once again to enhance better understanding.
Exercise
1 Explain two ways Jesus showed love to people.
2 Give two examples of Jesus demonstrating love to mankind.
3 Give two importance of love to one another.
Fill in the gaps with the correct answers.
4 For God so loved the world that he gave _______________.
5 God sends rain on both the _______ and the ________.
6 Jesus cast out demons from Mary __________.
Choose the correct answers to the following:
7 For him to see Jesus Zacchaeus climbed
- a mango tree. B. banana tree. C. sycamore tree. D. orange tree.
8 Bartimaeus was the son of A. Timothy. B. Titus. C. Timaeus. D. Thomas.
9 Bartimaeus was A. deaf. B. sick. C. blind. D. cripples.
10 ‘Today, salvation has come to this house’ was said by Jesus to
- Mary Magdalene. B. Bartimaeus. C. Zacchaeus
See also
God’s way of showing love to His people
Worshiping God in the Wildernes
African Moral Values Introduction