This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:12-13)
Jesus gave this command to His disciples the night before he was arrested. He had spoken about the same principles earlier in the evening so we know this command is important to comprehend. His commandment isn’t one of rules and regulations, it’s simply one of loving one another. Soon Jesus would demonstrate the ultimate example of laying down one’s life for one’s friends as he was raised up on the cross and died for our sins. Jesus example of laying down ones life was brutally extreme.
Love others the same way He loved us, “What you talking about Willis?” I want to live… I don’t like pain… I’m not that tough and I certainly don’t hold others, especially those I dislike in any regard dear enough to even pull a hamstring for, let along die for… Surely He raised the bar too high. How can anyone possibly live up to Jesus’ example?
The Bible holds the answers to our fulfillment of this seemingly unreachable command.
Throughout the scriptures we learn that during His ministry Jesus practiced what he preached. In Johns Gospel, John gives an eye witness account from the base of the cross. John’s account personifies Jesus’ commandment of laying down ones life for a friend, as He gave His life for the salvation of all those who would trust in Him. Jesus considered anyone who truly trusted in God to be worthy. If they believed that He and God were one, then laying down His life on the cross was the love they deserved.
We will never be raised up on a cross, so it’s best we turn to the scriptures to understand how we can abide in Jesus’ command… In the Bible, John, James and others give us examples of how to ‘give up our lives’ for others.
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:16-20)
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. (James 2:14-17)
Real love leads to action, not just feelings. It produces selfless, sacrificial giving. The greatest act of love is giving oneself for others. How can we “give up our lives”? By serving others with no thought of receiving anything in return. To say we’ll die for others can be easier than truly living for them. Doing so involves putting their desires first. This is the same principle of love Jesus taught with His commandment that evening recorded in (John 15:13).
Paul probably never met Jesus the man. He was not with John at the base of the cross as Jesus displayed how much He loved us… Although Paul was not a first hand witness to the crucifixion, he did have a one on one encounter with The Lord. Through the Spirit Jesus revealed His revelations to Paul. Through-out Pauls many epistles found in the Bible, he describes Jesus’ concepts of love maybe better than anyone else other than John.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. (Romans 12:1)
God loves you so much that He sacrificed His Son for you. What’s acceptable to God is for you do like-wise and sacrifice yourself for Him. How do we do that? With what do we build and bestow all this love? Jesus would become a carpenter so one of the things He and His father chose to use were nails.
Nails were used that day… as the Roman soldiers pounded them into Jesus affixing Him to the cross. However the nails did not hold down our Savior. Rather, the nails held Jesus up, for all to behold the Glory of God…
In the beginning the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1)
Together God and The Son created everything including a plan, one that would assure our salvation… Theirs was a job to be done, and nails would be needed.
In His love, God provided the nails the Romans would drive.
In His love, God raised His Son on the cross so all could witness His Glory.
In His love, God sacrificed His son so we could be saved.
Our salvation was made possible because of Gods love.
Gods desires to drive His nails into each and every one of us. The nails that affix salvation to our very souls. Jesus said, “Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” We must take action and obey His commands, only then will Jesus swing His hammer and drive the nails. He has purchased the nails and the hammer is in His hand, are you ready to receive?
The plan is complete. Jesus has risen and is back at His Fathers side. Salvation is ours to accept… Ours is to repay His love — Lay down your life, and become a living and holy sacrifice to God. Die to your own desires daily while renewing your mind on Gods perfect truths. Do all that you should in response to His love… Love others with actions, deeds, time and effort. In giving up your life for your brothers and sisters, you will purchase the nails and enable Jesus to go to work in your life. Give Jesus the tools that He needs and together build beautiful things.
“I tell you the Truth”
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