Shortly before His death, Jesus spoke to His disciples about love – the love He had for them and the love they were to have for Him.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:13-14).
Jesus would soon demonstrate His love for His disciples and all mankind. Even though He had the authority to call down twelve legions of angels to prevent Him from going to the cross (Matthew 26:52-53), He willingly surrendered His life to make that sacrifice for us (John 10:18). Paul reminded us that Jesus did this “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8). Jesus did not just say that He loved us; He showed it clearly for all to see.
This great love that Jesus showed for us should provoke us to respond in kind – to love Him as He loved us (1 John 4:19). How do we demonstrate His love? Just as Jesus showed His love, rather than merely offer a verbal expression of love, we are to do the same. We must “not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18).
So how do we show Jesus our love for Him? He answered this for us as He spoke to His disciples. This great love causes us to be willing to sacrifice our lives, just as Jesus did on the cross. Does this mean we must die a physical death in the name of Christ? That could happen; but for most Christians today, our faith is not tested to this point. Yet we must still lay down our lives for Christ. How do we do this? Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14).
Our love for Christ is demonstrated by our obedience. Many will claim to love Christ, but refuse to obey or belittle the importance of obedience. Yet if we want to be a friend of Jesus, we will obey Him. He said earlier, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). He did not say you might keep the commandments or you do not have to keep the commandments. He said, “You will keep My commandments.”
Do not love Christ in word only. Show your love through your actions. Surrender your life in humble obedience just as Paul did. He wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Jesus obeyed the will of the Father and laid down His life for you. In response, obey Him, laying down your life for Him.
