If it’s true that we all learn Jesus directly, then the most important lesson he teaches and models is that of love. Love that is not just spoken or sentimental, but is acted out and based on the truth of the gospel. Jesus gives us an example of love that takes initiative, that requires self-sacrifice, and that actually completes God’s love among us. In John’s first letter, he makes it blatantly clear that we are to go and do likewise. We cannot learn Jesus without leading others. And we cannot learn Jesus without loving others.
