Some might be confused about Jesus’ love for humanity when the Bible highlights specific individuals and describes them as those He loved. One of them was His disciple, John. It says in John 13:23, “There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved” (See also John 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, and 21:20).
Other individuals specifically identified as those Jesus loved were Mary, Martha, their brother, Lazarus, and the rich young ruler. John 11:5 says of the three siblings, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” Mark 10:21 says of the rich young ruler, “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’”
However, even though these individuals are highlighted in Scripture as ones Jesus loved, the Bible also declares that Jesus loves every human, not just a few. Consider what John 3:16 proclaims: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Likewise, Jesus said in John 15:9, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” Furthermore, 1 John 4:19 states, “We love because He first loved us.” Also, Romans 5:8 affirms, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
It should also be noted that Jesus’ love does not vary based on each individual. In other words, Jesus does not love some more than others. Instead, He loves everyone equally because Jesus is love, and love originates and emanates from Him. 1 John 4:8 says, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” It also declares in 1 John 4:7(a), “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God.”
I hope this information helps you understand that Jesus loves everyone equally despite the Bible describing specific individuals as those He loved.
