To Love Jesus More Than Life Itself

What does it truly mean to love Jesus? Not merely to admire Him or respect His teachings, but to treasure Him more than life itself?

It’s a question that cuts to the heart of Christian faith. In a world that often treats Jesus as just one among many religious figures or philosophies, Scripture confronts us with a radically exclusive call: to love Jesus above everything and everyone else even our closest family, even our very lives.

The Two Great Loves

Jesus made two profound demands:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37)

Loving God with all we are. Loving Jesus more than even our children or parents. These aren’t sentimental statements they’re soul-altering commands.

So how are we to think about these two loves — love for God and love for Jesus? Are they the same? Are they separate? Jesus gives us the answer in John 8:42:

“If God were your Father, you would love me.”

Jesus wasn’t speaking to atheists or pagans. He was addressing the most devout, Scripture-saturated people of the day and yet He told them they didn’t truly know God, because they didn’t love Him.

The litmus test for genuine love for God is love for Jesus not merely acknowledging His existence, but embracing Him as the Son of God, the Savior of sinners, the supreme Treasure of the universe.

You cannot claim to love God and reject Jesus. The two are inextricably bound. To love God is to love Jesus.

What Kind of Love Is This?

But what kind of love is Jesus calling for?

Some might say it’s just about obedience. After all, didn’t Jesus say, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15)? That’s true but let’s look closely.

Jesus doesn’t say love equals obedience. He says obedience flows from love. Love for Jesus is the root, and obedience is the fruit.

It’s not cold compliance. It’s not rigid rule-following. It’s the kind of love you have for your dearest treasure. The kind of love that sees Jesus as infinitely precious more than money, more than success, more than comfort, even more than your spouse or child.

Paul described it like this:

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8)

That’s the essence of loving Jesus. Not a checklist, but a treasuring delighting in who He is, being satisfied in His presence, worshiping Him not just with lips, but with longing.

The Power Behind the Love

Where does this love come from? How do we get it?

The story of the sinful woman in Luke 7 gives us the answer. A woman with a shameful past lavishes love on Jesus tears, kisses, and costly perfume. The Pharisee is appalled. But Jesus tells a parable: one person forgave a small debt, another a massive one. Who will love more? The answer: the one forgiven much.

“Her sins, which are many, are forgiven for she loved much.” (Luke 7:47)

We love Jesus because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). The more we grasp the depth of our sin, the more we’ll treasure the mercy of our Savior.

True love for Jesus is born when we see ourselves rightly helpless, guilty, broken and see Him rightly holy, loving, dying, rising, reigning.

This isn’t something we can manufacture. It’s the fruit of new birth, a work of the Spirit that opens our eyes to the glory of Christ.

Why This Love Matters Eternally

Jesus didn’t mince words:

“Whoever does not love me more than father or mother is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37)
“If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed.” (1 Corinthians 16:22)

This love is not optional. It’s not advanced Christianity. It’s not reserved for missionaries or pastors. It is the dividing line between life and death, salvation and judgment.

But don’t misunderstand. This isn’t about deserving Jesus. No one does. Being “worthy” of Him doesn’t mean earning Him it means being fitting to be with Him. When we truly love Him, treasure Him, cling to Him, it shows we belong to Him.

To love Jesus supremely is to be united with Him. And if we do not love Him, we reveal we have not truly known Him.

So How Can We Love Him More?

If you read this and feel convicted perhaps realizing that your love for Christ has grown cold take heart. The answer isn’t to try harder, but to look longer.

Look again at the cross. Look again at the empty tomb. Look again at the perfect Son of God, who bore your shame, carried your sin, and conquered the grave.

Ask the Spirit to soften your heart. Ask Him to awaken in you the affections that only He can produce. Meditate on the gospel until your heart begins to burn.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

Loving Jesus more than life begins when you believe truly believe that He is life. That He is better than all the world offers and all that it takes away.

The Treasure That Satisfies

Christianity is not simply about making good choices or believing true things. At its core, it is about a new affection. A new treasure. A new love.

When Jesus becomes your highest joy, your greatest hope, and your truest Friend then you are His. And He is yours.

So ask yourself today:

• Do I love Him more than comfort?

• More than approval?

• More than control?

• More than family?

• More than life?

If the honest answer is “no,” then run to Him. Not in shame, but in need. He stands ready not just to forgive your sin, but to renew your love.

If this reflection stirred your heart toward deeper love for Christ, share it with a friend or subscribe to our newsletter for more gospel-centered encouragements each week.