Genesis 29:20

Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.

I think that this is one of the greatest verses in the Bible, not because Jacob was such a great guy or because it was so romantic, but because it expresses the kind of workers we should be as Christians. Here’s what Jesus said:

John 14:23-26 :

Jesus answered him,
“If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me. I have said these things to you, while still living with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.”

God isn’t a hard person. He expects us to work for Jesus out of love. Yes we should work hard for God, but it should seem to us but a few days. If we don’t feel that way about it, then there is something wrong inside of us. It means that we aren’t working out of our love for Jesus. This is a serious problem, but there is a way to fix it.

Notice that Jesus mentions the Holy Spirit. At the time He was talking to his disciples, the Holy Spirit had not be sent yet. He is here now and not only that, He has now taught us all the things we need to know in the Bible. Jesus’ words have now been recorded, including the ones He gave to Paul, John, Peter and James. The Holy Spirit has given us these words and He also reminds us of them throughout the day. He is able to make us have real love for God and for each other. The way to fix our lack of love is to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to produce love in us. Jesus is the best example of this because he endured torture out of love for His Father and us.

Hebrews 12:2 :

looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We are like Rachel to Jesus, but He did far more than spend seven years working. He was tortured in our place and it was the joy of our future with Him that made Him do it. He really loves us.