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My Grandmother died on Mother’s Day in 1975. That was a loss my Dad never fully recovered from. She was like a Mother to me, too, and taught me many valuable lessons.

• She taught me to be generous. She wasn’t rich, but always had a few dollars tucked away to help anyone in need.
• She taught me to make the best of difficult situations. She hated doing dishes, but always sang while she washed them.
• She taught me to focus on others rather than myself. She had a difficult life—her marriage to my Grandfather wasn’t easy. Her Daughter disappeared in the early 1960’s, leaving several children. My Grandmother grieved, but I never once heard her complain.

My Grandmother was an example of love in action, and my life has been better because of her. But there is one Person who is an even better example of love in action … the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of John says this about Him:

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” - John 15:13

Let’s consider three things about this verse:

1. Love’s Degree, John 15:13a
2. Love’s Demonstration, John 15:13b
3. Love’s Determination, John 15:13c

First, Love’s Degree

“Greater love hath no man than this …”

Love cannot be measured by words alone because, as the saying goes, “talk is cheap.” Love must be shown, demonstrated, proven. Jesus Christ proved His great love for us by leaving Heaven’s glory, coming to Earth, identifying with us, and giving Himself for us.

Philippians 2:7-8 tells us He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

There are two words for love in the Greek of the New Testament: “phileo,” which is brotherly love/affection, and “agape,” which is the ultimate, sacrificial, love. The “greater love” in John 15:13 is that superior agape love. No one will ever love you as much as Jesus loves you.

Then, Love’s Demonstration

“… that a man lay down his life …”

Who killed Jesus? Sermons have been preached to “answer” that question. Books have been written, placing the blame on the Roman authorities and the Jewish religious leaders. But neither Rome nor those religious leaders had that much power. No one took Jesus’ life. He gave it freely and without hesitation.

Jesus laid down His life for us. As “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29, 1:36), Jesus was the one, true, offering for sin. He died in our place, taking our punishment for sin. He literally became sin for us, “that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). No one will ever sacrifice themself for you like Jesus did.

Finally, Love’s Determination

“… for his friends.”

Marios Tsangarides, a friend of mine, grew up on the island of Cyprus. He once told me about a time in his boyhood when angry Turkish mobs rampaged through his neighborhood threatening the Greeks. When that happened, Marios’ father sent his family to the roof of their house and stood in the doorway, armed only with a large staff. No one got past him and harmed his family.

It’s not unusual for parents to put their lives on the line for their children, or for friends to give their lives for one another. But Jesus did more than give His life for His friends. When Jesus died for us, we weren’t His friends—we were strangers, aliens, and enemies of God (see Ephesians 2:12). In Romans 5:8 the Apostle Paul says, “But God commendeth [showed] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The truth of the matter is that Christ’s death on the cross is what made us His friends. He removed our sin debt and reconciled us to God. He restored the relationship with God which had been broken since Adam and Eve’s sin (see Genesis 3). No one else could do that for you, only Jesus.

Friend, what will you do about Jesus’ great love for you?

You could ignore His love, and hope for another opportunity later on. But what if that opportunity never comes?

You could reject His love, and try to convince yourself that you’re ok and don’t need Him. But what if you’re wrong?

You should accept His love, because no one will ever love you as much as Jesus does. No other person, religion, or ceremony can do for you what Jesus has already done. Acts 4:12 says:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Come to Jesus Christ. Admit your sin. Acknowledge your need for Him. Ask Him to save you and He will. Blessings to you!- Daniel Benton

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