“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”
September 5, 2008 (Friday)
I have watched both political conventions this year. I have found both to be interesting, and I have been reassured by them that Americans love their country.
One evening I heard the story of Michael Monsorean, member of Special Operations Forces of the U.S. Navy. Photos of him as he grew up were shown on the big screen, and the live cameras showed his family at the convention, there to pay tribute to their beloved family member who had given his life for others. He fell upon a live hand grenade, sacrificing his own life for others. He died that others might live. They live today because he died. Every one of his buddies with him that day can say, “He died for me.”
We live today spiritually because Jesus died for us. Each of us can say, “He died for me.”
Many people do not understand why Jesus died on a cruel Roman cross. What this loyal serviceman did for his friends is what Jesus did for us. Jesus’ death demonstrated the power of love, but he died for a more down-to-earth reason. He died so that we could live.
There is no doubt that this American hero gave his life for his friends. There should likewise be no doubt that Jesus died for us, whom he called friends. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13 NIV).
Jesus made the statement I just quoted. Here’s the entire paragraph he spoke while on the way to Gethsemane: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other” (John 15:9-17 NIV).