“Lay Down
One’s Life”
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off
every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit
he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because
of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No
branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you
bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I
am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I
in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do
not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such
branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me
and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to
be my disciples.
“As
the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you
keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s
commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in
you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I
have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for
one’s friends.
John 15:1-13
To
give your life so another person can life 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.
Have
you ever given any thought to the fact that Jesus died for you? He took your
place and mine. In so doing, He not only proved His love for us, but He also
made it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins and to have an eternal home
in heaven.
Christ’s sacrifice was what God desired and our sin required.
Our Daily Bread –