Of course, when He made that statement, Jesus was directly referring to the fact that He was about to literally lay down His life for His friends. Jesus was about to literally lay down His life for the entire world and its sins. Is that necessarily the application for all of us? In certain circumstances, it might be. Any one of us could encounter a situation where literally laying down one’s life might be an appropriate expression of ultimate love. What about the rest of us? What if we are never asked to literally sacrifice our lives for a friend? Are we just off the hook? Hardly! What, then, might it mean to lay down one’s life for a friend?
We live in a culture today where people won’t even lay down their thoughts, ideas and opinions for their fellow man, much less their lives. The United States, particularly, is a “me” culture. “Looking out for number 1,” “If you don’t take care of yourself, nobody will.” These are all reflections of the way we are. Yet, Jesus’ still said to lay down one’s life for friends is the ultimate expression of love.
We can do this by making others needs more important than our own. Jesus did that for us; He gave up his rightful place in Heaven to come here, live as a man, suffer and die just because our need for a savior was so great. Next time you have a situation where two needs are presented and only one can be met, meet your brother or sister’s need and let yours go unmet.
We can do this by forgiving. People wrong us; that is simply a fact. Scripture teaches us over and over that we are to forgive. Jesus asked His father to forgive the very people killing him on the cross in Luke 23:34. We simply have to learn to forgive the same way; we need to forgive no matter the seriousness of the offense that is committed against us
We can do this by sacrificing for others. Not only might we be required to meet another person’s need and leave ours unmet, but we might actually have to give up something our our own to meet their need. Maybe you have plans but a brother or sister has a need; give up your plans and be there for them.
We can do this by meeting the needs of people who don’t deserve it and cannot or will not do a thing for us. Some folks don’t deserve help. Some are not capable of doing anything for us in return. Some are capable, but in our hearts we know they wouldn’t give us a fire extinguisher if we burst into flames. Help them anyway.
January 2, 2018 at 08:19
Amen and Amen. ❤
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January 2, 2018 at 08:28
Thanks Elizabeth and I hope your New Year is good so far!
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January 2, 2018 at 08:30
Thank you, Wally! You, too! With God and for God our year will be awesome! ❤ ❤ ❤
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January 2, 2018 at 09:35
great words Wally as we seem to be somewhat like minded today—with my decreasing coupled by your laying down of self…..good tandem thinking I think 🙂
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January 2, 2018 at 10:00
Absolutely excellent post, brother! Something I need to be often reminded of. God bless you!
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January 2, 2018 at 10:21
Thanks, sister. Blessings to you and yours as well.
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January 2, 2018 at 10:14
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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January 2, 2018 at 10:20
Thanks brother Vincent
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January 2, 2018 at 14:29
You’re very welcome Brother Wally 😎
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January 2, 2018 at 13:53
Great word today, Wally. Jesus is the greatest example for how we should live. It isn’t in our human nature to do so, but if we are to share heaven with each other, it’s vital. Becoming a servant to all people is never easy, but Jesus shows how to do it and he has set the ground work. Now we can do it without fear.
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January 2, 2018 at 14:07
It’s very difficult Kathy especially in a world where it seems so many people are indifferent or even hostile but yet we still have to show kindness
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January 2, 2018 at 14:15
Indeed. Keep on trucking ❤️
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January 2, 2018 at 14:23
You too my friend
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January 9, 2018 at 08:47
Thanks for the great reminder about forgiving. It seems to be lost in our culture today. May we, as the followers of Jesus, show the way.
Be blessed. God is in a stunning mood.
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January 9, 2018 at 10:47
Nice. He has gone from good mood to stunning! Thanks, Michael.
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January 14, 2018 at 21:21
As much as I wish this were not true, such is our generation. Lord, help us to be selfless rather than selfish and resist the temptation to be self-absorbed.
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January 15, 2018 at 04:14
Good thing to pray, Matthew.
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