John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
In the last few years, I’ve become a book guy. What I’ve found is that the more you read, the more you appreciate language. Our English language is remarkable. Creatives far more talented than I have a knack for stringing words together to engage your imagination. When I see “descriptors” or “adjectives” before an idea or thought, I pretty much know why it’s there. To give you a clearer, more succinct understanding.
This verse from John describes sacrificial love as the greatest love there is. Loving sacrificially isn’t just a good thing or a noble thing. There is no greater love than the love expressed in ultimate sacrifice. We know that. To lay down your life for the sake of another is the stuff of novels, poetry, and movies. Sacrifice itself means an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy. For a human being, there isn’t anything as valuable as life…especially your own life.
If you’re a parent, you sacrifice daily for your kids. You do without some things for the sake of your family. It’s measured in time, attention, and money. But few are ever called to lay down their life for their kids literally. Most would say they would, hoping they would never have to. When we sacrifice our time, talent, gifts, attention, and money on behalf of others, we are showing love at a fantastic level. Jesus took it to the ultimate level. He willingly, purposefully, and lovingly laid down his life for all of us. He took our place of punishment, died a cruel death on the cross, so that through his shed blood and sacrifice, we could have everlasting life. There is no greater love than that.