Jesus said that the way to measure people’s love is in their willingness to give up their life for their friends. Jesus showed us how much he loves us by dying for us so that we can be friends with God. But he doesn’t leave it at that. He also says, “Love each other in the same way that I love you.” Now that’s a tough act to follow!
Not many of us will probably have the opportunity to die for a friend or loved one, but if we did, we’d take it, as many have for this country. But maybe we should consider practical ways we can show our love for others by dying every day – dying to our need to always get our own way; to make ourselves look better than we really are; letting something important to us “die” so that someone we love might experience life. This can be painful. Sometimes true love hurts.
But love is more important than anything, even life itself.
This was a nice post to read. I am a choir director for my local church here, though not so much choir director as now part of a trio or quartet with instrumentals…
The point of that is: There is a song that comes to mind that reminds me of this. I do not know if you are Catholic, but we have a huge array of hymnals for special part of the year, and Holy Thursday speaks of the Last Supper and the washing of the feet by Jesus of his disciples. One specific such hymn starts out:
Refrain: “There can be no greater love,
than to lay down your life for a friend…
1. On the night on which our Savior was betrayed,
He broke the bread and passed it ’round.
‘This is my Body given for you.’
2. Then the Lord, when he had eaten with his friends,
began to wash their feet and said:
‘This example I leave with you.’
3. ‘If I your Lord and Teacher wash your feet,
then you must wash each other’s feet.
As I have done, so you must do.’
4. ‘This is my commandment: love each other;
as I have loved you, you must do.
Take up your cross and follow me.’
5. ‘Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid,
I go before you unto death.
I go to make a place for you.’
6. Come behold the cross on which our Savior hung.
He gave his life to set us free.
Behold the cross of victory.
7. If you live, you live not only for yourself;
when you die, you die not only for yourself.
In life and death we are the Lord’s.
8. All flesh is grass and beauty fading;
ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Only the Word of God remains.
It encompasses the verses from the bible in the following:
Refrain: John 15:13; verses 1-5 for Holy Thursday, 1 Corinthians 11:23-24; John 13:4-5, 14-15, 34; 14:1-4; serves 6-8 for Good Friday, Good Friday Liturgy; Romans 14:7-8; Isaiah 40:6-8.
The song is called “No Greater Love” written by Tim Schoenbachler.
Thank you for writing this post. It made my day