This week we will continue to explore 7 ways Jesus showed love, love that we can seek to replicate to those around us.

6. Sharing

As he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter), and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish forpeople.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20

In my home life one of the main areas for battle amongst my children is the issue of sharing. In particular sharing the front seat in the car. 

I don’t know why but the front seat is like a gold ticket to the chocolate factory. On every journey the children will enter into a long debate, a heated debate about whose turn it was, whose turn it is and just how unfair and miserable life is without the glory of riding in the front seat. 

I don’t want to make a bigger issue of this than it actually is, but if you’re in the same boat as me you know what this is like. Sharing is never easy and to be honest I’m not sure it gets much easier as we become adults. 

“Follow me,” 

In this example today about how Jesus demonstrated love through sharing, I want to make the point that he invited these guys to follow him. 

In inviting these men to journey with him, Jesus was essentially calling them to learn: follow me, watch me and stay with me. I will share my life with you guys, and it will transform yours.

You see sharing isn’t always about splitting a cake or grabbing the front seat. Sharing in the Jesus model of showing love is also about inviting people to be with you. To invest in their lives, provide for their need and walk a bit together. This can take a load of different forms and shapes and might reach into our hearts of hospitality and generosity, but I think there are lessons in loving others wrapped up in this too. 

Image Credit: Jon Tyson