Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
Words can communicate and explain some of how we feel about others. We can even tell someone we love them. We can explain how precious they are to us. However, our actions will either validate and confirm our love or reveal that our words are false. When we sacrifice ourselves, however, and give up our wishes, our preferences, and our lives for our friends, we give the greatest of all gifts and prove our love beyond any doubt. I had an outstanding professor who loved to say, “We must put our lives where our mouths are.” Jesus did just that for us on the cross: he called us his friends (John 15:14-15), then he showed his love for us. Now, Jesus calls us to love each other as Jesus has loved us – not just with our words but also with our deeds (1 John 3:16,18).
My Prayer…
Father, thank you for loving me enough to send Jesus as a ransom for my sins. Jesus, thank you for your loving sacrifice that not only saves me, but shows me the full extent of your love. Now I ask the Holy Spirit to pour that love into my heart* so I can love others as Jesus has loved me. In the name of my LORD Jesus, I thank you. Amen.
* Romans 5:5.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
