No Greater Love

John 15:12-13

            Maybe it’s because we are so familiar with this verse of scripture (John 15:13) that we overlook the somewhat contradictory nature of what Jesus says.  Perhaps it’s because we are so enamored by the word “love” in it that our hearts just kind of “flutter” as we read it and agree with what the Lord says.  Go ahead and read it now and listen closely to what He is telling us.

            Jesus is not giving us a definition of love.  He is giving us an example of love in actuality, in the midst of the harshness and difficulty of life.  He leaves much room for other actions which would legitimately be called love but says that greater love cannot be demonstrated than if a person gives his own life for his friends.

            Does anything about that statement trouble you?  Do you find His words at least somewhat perplexing shall we say?

            Here is the thought: Why is it that love is unsurpassed when it is demonstrated in death?

            Our concepts of love are usually not so, well, extreme.  We think of a newly wed couple beginning to make adjustments in their life together.  Or a mother’s staying up at night with a sick child.  Or even a generous gift given in time of need.  Or some humble service rendered.  But to connect love with death and especially such a grisly death (for there is no doubt that Jesus has His own death in view here) is not the usual way for us to think.  (I hope you see that as an understatement.)

            Consider: If “greater love” is shown via sacrificial death, how did God bring about the conditions needed to demonstrate this depth of His love?

            Then this: In what ways might a person “lay down his life for his friends?”

            Next: What does this tell us about the presence of pain and suffering in the world today?

            Lastly: How am I doing in loving God and those in my life as Christ has loved me?

            Hmmm?

                                                            ><>  Jeff