LOVE IS LAYING DOWN OUR LIVES
This is My commandment, that you loveG25 one another as I have lovedG25 you. Greater loveG26 has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. . . This is My command to you: LoveG25 one another.
John 15:12-13, 17
Jesus’s disciples—those who trust in Him and are being conformed to His image—are to live out His love to others, loving not only in word but in action. The admonition set forth by Jesus—the command for daily living for Christ-followers—is that they demonstrate an active love toward one another in imitation of the love Jesus has lavished upon them. As children imitate their parents, we are to imitate the Lord. How did Jesus love and to what extent? Jesus loved sacrificially, unconditionally, and purely. He loved with everything—His heart, mind, and soul. He went so far as to die for those He loved. And now, He continues to make intercession for us at the throne of God. Jesus expresses His love for us forever!!!
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.
Romans 8:34
An important reflection on John 15:13 is that Jesus is addressing His friends, the community of faith. The word for friends in this verse could be interpreted “beloved ones.” This indicates an intimate friendship, a family relationship, or as we like to call it “framily” which means friends who have become family through Jesus. As stated in Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) “…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Even before Jesus willingly laid down His life on the cross, He set aside the splendor of Heaven to be born to a humble couple and live life as a man that we might understand the Father’s love through His example. The price of Jesus’s love culminated in the crucifixion—His sacrificial death as a substitute for those He loved.
We may not literally lay down our lives for our “framily”—our brothers and sisters in Christ. However, we need to be willing to love sacrificially by preferring others before ourselves. This week, watch for an opportunity to do something for or with a loved one even though it might not be your own “cup of tea.” Consider giving up some “me time,” in favor of “us time.” Think of ways to love sacrificially.
Father, please remove selfishness from us and help us to put others’ needs before our own. We realize we are to love ourselves, but this should never be at the expense of others. Let Your love flow through us to our friends and family, especially those who are brothers and sisters in Christ.