Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Lynn Smith <lynn824@cebridge.net>
Sent: Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:31:18 -0600
To: Recipient list suppressed:;
Subject: Morning Manna Nov. 9--BP: Jn. 15:12-17; RBTTY: Heb. 6; Jer.
November 9
“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
We’ll know we’re moving closer when we’re willing to show it to our foes.
Most likely, we’ve all heard those moving war stories about a soldier throwing himself on top of an enemy’s grenade to save the life of his comrades-in-arms. To us, that’s the epitome of “self-sacrifice” and love, which seems to be the essence of what Jesus is saying in today’s Manna.
However, when we balance it with Paul’s powerful exposition in Rom. 5:6-11, we suddenly realize that Jesus didn’t die “for His friends.” No, we read that He died “for the ungodly. . .sinners. . .and His enemies” (vv.6, 8, 10). Why, that’d be like us dying for the worse drug addict or porn star we’ve ever heard of. . .the biggest gambler and underhanded con artist who’s ever lived. . .and that person who seems to delight in making us miserable and has let us know they’d be much happier if we’d simply fall off the planet.
No, Jesus didn’t die “for His friends.”
Yet, He still willingly went to the Cross to pay the price for our sins so we could be cleansed by His blood and made a part of His Family through spiritual adoption (Rom. 5:9-11).
What kind of love is that?
It’s called “agape”a God-type love. Hallelujah!!
When Jesus gave His “new commandment” to “love one another as I have loved you” (Jn. 13:34; 15:12), He knew we couldn’t do itin our own strength. That’s why He said “You’re going to have to let Me do it through you. And, this can only happen when you ‘abide in Me and I abide in you’” (Jn. 15:1-7).
Our Lord knew that we MIGHT “lay down our life for a friend,” which would be a noble thing to do; however, we definitely WOULD NOT be willing to trade places with a convicted criminal on death row who’s about to be placed in the electric chair or given a lethal injection.
But, that’s exactly what Jesus did for us, isn’t it?
Assuredly so.
Why/how was He able to do this?
Simply because His love looked at His “enemies” and treated them as “friends” BEFORE they actually were. He knew true love His kind of love is the only force that can soften a harden heart. . .break a stubborn will. . .heal a broken heart full of bitterness, etc.
And, He knew that His “friends would willingly do whatsoever He commanded them to do” (Jn. 15:14). How wonderful to know we need not relate to Him as some “hired slave,” who serves out of drudgery or compulsion, but can always know what’s on His heart because of our love-relationship with Him (v.15). Glory!!
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