Sunday Devotions - Greater love has no one....

 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).


Normally, I wouldn't repost some one else's devotion but this week Our Daily Bread had a wonderful devotion that I thought was just so perfect for Easter so here it is. 

Bill and his wife were driving through the Rocky Mountains when a near-miss with a truck caused their car to swerve off the road and plunge into the Colorado River. After scrambling out of their sinking vehicle, they frantically treaded water in the swift current. A truck driver, who had seen the accident, ran ahead along the shore and threw a rope to them. Bill swam behind his wife and pushed her to where she could grab the rope—and the man pulled her out. Bill, however, was carried downstream and didn’t survive. He had given his life for the woman he loved.

To give your life so another person can live is the ultimate proof of love. During the night that Jesus was betrayed, He told His disciples of His intention to give His life in exchange for mankind. He told them: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). And then He set the ultimate example of self-sacrifice by going to the cross.

Have you ever given any thought to the fact that Jesus did that for you—that He died in your place? In so doing, He not only proved His love for you, but He also made it possible for you to be forgiven of your sins and to have an eternal home in heaven.

Jesus told his disciples before the Cross that he had to die that he knew it would happen and it was something he wasn't going to run away from but still they didn't understand. I think even today's Christian can be just as thick! I've been raised in the church and heard the Easter story year after year but it took a couple decades until the meaning of the Cross REALLY sank in. Even now though, I sometimes wonder if I truly understand the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. 

Dear Heavenly Father, Oh what a sacrifice you gave for us...for ME! I'm so unworthy of such a gift yet it was given free of charge, without strings attached, through GRACE alone. How humbling to be loved so very much by You Lord! Help me to live my life worthy of such a gift. Amen.