“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13
Jesus spoke these words to his disciples just a few hours before he was arrested. And the next day, which we celebrate today as Good Friday, he laid down his life for us all. He gave up his life willingly on the cross to pay the price for our sin.
We are to abide in Him, reflect His love and to love others in the same way He loved us. It is only as we experience a deepening love for Jesus and all that He has done for us that we can begin to allow His love to flow into us and through us to others – so that in His power and strength we too may lay down our lives in service to Him as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, in Jesus name.
Loving others by dying for them is not expected from each of us. But loving others by giving of our time and money and by sharing of our gifts and talents is a start. There’s more involved than being kind and patient. Love always trusts and always perseveres (1 Cor. 13). In our gratitude for all that Jesus has done for us, we want to share his good news wherever we can.
We look to Jesus as our example. He went willingly and obediently. He laid down his life for his friends. Do we see Jesus as our friend?
Prayer
Heavenly Father thank You for the greatest of all examples of love, that Christ demonstrated towards me, in that while I was still a sinner He died for me. Lord Jesus, thank you for giving your own life as a sacrifice for ours. May our responses of joy and gratitude show and tell others how we are your friends, to the Father’s glory. Amen.