John 17:23 NKJV
I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
God loved Jesus. Jesus was His only begotten Son who was with Him in the beginning. Jesus was faithful to God - tempted in all points and passing each test without sin. We were created by God and were unfaithful, failing many tests and looking to God for mercy. Yet Jesus said that the Father loved the disciples, who represent all the followers of Christ, as much as He loved Jesus! That is hard to imagine but we must accept that by faith because Jesus said it. Thank God for His great love for us.