This is true and I’m so thankful. But I’m noticing that I write a ton more on Jesus’s authority than on his love. So I thought I’d check the balance in the New Testament.

Jesus’s Love

Jesus’s love is foundational to everything, but direct mentions are surprisingly rare (10-12 references):

• John 11:5 – “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”
• John 15:9 – “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.”
• John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this…”
• Galatians 2:20 – “The Son of God… loved me and gave himself for me.”
• Ephesians 5:2, 25 – “Christ loved us… loved the church…”
• Romans 8:35–39 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”
• 2 Corinthians 5:14 – “The love of Christ compels us…”
• 1 John 3:16; 4:10, 19 – “He laid down His life for us… He loved us first…”
• Revelation 1:5 – “To Him who loves us…”

Jesus’s Authority

The New Testament is overflowing with declarations of Jesus’s authority, like these:

• “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt. 28:18)
• “God exalted him… every knee will bow… Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Phil. 2:9–11)
• “He will judge the living and the dead.” (2 Tim. 4:1)

And these titles were applied to Jesus throughout the New Testament:

• Lord – over 600 times, the most common title for Jesus.
• Christ/Messiah – meaning “Anointed King,” used over 500 times.
• Son of God – not just relational, but royal and divine.
• Judge, Head of the Church, Alpha and Omega, King of kings, etc.

New Testament Overview

Section	Love of Jesus	Authority of Jesus
Gospels	Enacted, rarely stated	Enacted, rarely claimed
Acts	Not mentioned	Proclaimed constantly
Paul’s Letters	Mentioned occasionally	Dominant theme
Hebrews	Implied as Priest	Overwhelming topic
General Letters	Central only in 1 John	Repeated emphasis
Revelation	Only once, in 1:5	Central narrative

Preaching Jesus’s Authority

I’m not saying that Jesus’s authority is more important than his love, I’m just noticing that it’s the primary message we’re called to preach.

The New Testament affirms Jesus’s love, but it overwhelmingly emphasizes His identity, titles, rule, return, and right to judge.

So the apostles don’t go around telling the world, “Jesus loves you.” They go out proclaiming, “Jesus is Lord. Repent. Believe. Be baptized in His name.”

Jesus’s love is the motive for His mission. But His authority is the message the early Church couldn’t stop declaring. If we want to speak biblically about Jesus, we should say:

Yes, He loves you.

But more than that,

He reigns.