Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13 (NKJV)
There is no greater expression of love than to be willing to give your life for someone.
Imagine that a close member of your family is pulled into a river’s undertow.
At the last second, when all hope seems lost, a man jumps into the raging river and saves your family member, only to lose his own life in the process. How would you feel about this man?
This is what Jesus did for you when He gave His life.
Jesus gave His life for the opportunity to save you and everyone you love from an eternity of pain and torment without God. That’s the kind of friend Jesus is. There is no greater level of friendship possible! And when you get closer to Jesus, you become more like Him—an excellent friend.
What did Jesus say about friendship?
According to Jesus, we are His friends if we do the things He commands us to do (John 15:14). Then, in verse 17, He spells out exactly what He commands us to do: love one another (AMP). Actually, Jesus says that the two greatest commandments are Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37, 39, NLT).
It’s so simple: if everything we do is out of our love for God and for each other, we will live wonderful lives filled with amazing relationships.
How will you develop your friendship with Jesus every day?