Reading over the 15th chapter of the Gospel of John. I read the ever familiar 13th verse, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay

down one’s life for his friends.” As I had before when reading or hearing this verse, I thought of Jesus on the cross laying down His life for His friends. But this time as I read I felt the urge to  read it again. I re-read it and again thought of Jesus giving His life on the cross.  Then, feeling

the urge to read it once again, it dawned on me that the verse does

not speak of death. It speaks of life. 

 

We don’t know much about the first thirty years of Christ’s life, but it’s obvious that He laid down His life in His final three years. He spent

those three years totally devoted to His Father and teaching about the eternal things of life – God, Heaven, eternal life. 

 

We need to lay down our lives to the service of God, Jesus and

the Holy Spirit and diligently seek out those who are in a state of being lost.

 

Many people have died for their beliefs and we may need to some

day. But, in John 15:13 God is telling us to live and live in a manner that glorifies Him who created us. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” 

 

How does John 15:13 read to you now?

 

Kerry  L. Marsala is a commentator on social, cultural and political ideologies. She is co-publisher of Sarah's Seed Christian Woman's Journal (www.sarahsseed.freeservers.com).