TUESDAY February 14, 2023
Valentine’s Day
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down
one’s life for his friends.”
John 15:13
These are Jesus’ very own words. He describes a love to us that is expressed through a person’s action of giving up what is most valuable to them––their very own life. Self-preservation is a natural instinct. We act in a way to avoid harm and preserve our own existence. There is in each of us a strong will to survive. Yet we see heroes on battlefields willingly giving up their lives for their friends by placing themselves in harm’s way.
Jesus said there is no greater love than this. We know this to be true. When Jesus uttered these words, He already knew the Cross was before Him. He would willingly place Himself in harm’s way. He would demonstrate His love to the entire world by dying on the Cross: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Why would Jesus willingly give up His life for sinners? Jesus wants each of us to know His great love. He went to extreme levels of pain and agony to prove His love to us: By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16). Jesus came to earth for this purpose––to save sinners: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
What is your response to Jesus’ sacrificial love shown openly on the Cross? Will you reject His love or embrace His love? Why not become a follower of Jesus Christ today. Those who choose to do so are called His friends––“You are my friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). Are you willing?
Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not.
~C.S. Lewis~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
