Would You Die for Me?

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. " - John 15:13

Friendship is built on trust, loyalty, forgiveness and love. We all have those special friends that we know will always be there at the drop of a hat. Regardless of how much trouble we are in, or where we are; a simple phone call will bring them to our side and our aid when necessary. Think back over your life and reflect on those times that you truely needed a friend by your side. Perhaps it was an emergency room viist in the middle of the night; perhaps it was to tide you over when the bills got to high; perhaps it was to talk you down off the ledge when life just didn't seem to be going your way. The list goes on and you know the specific examples in your life where you had to reach out to that special someone or group of friends for support. If your friends are anything like mine, without hesitation they were there to hold you up and ensure you landed back on your feet.

So, do you think those best friends of yours would go to their grave in your place? Would they give up everything they have to ensure that you were okay, even their own life? Love is deep betwen husband and wife, mother/father and child, and siblings. Love is strong and solid between best friends and those special friends that know everything about you. But there is only One that loved you enough to give up everything to save your life from eternal damnation.

Much like the world today, the children He had called from the wilderness to the promised land had somehow forgotten who He was and how much He had done for them. For everything He had given them, they still wanted more. His gifts were taken for granted and His love was seen as unattainable except for the select few. Society was comfortable in their own lives and had moved into a world of complacency and farther from His guiding hand.

God the Father looked down upon the earth 1982 years ago with tears in His eyes. He launched the single biggest event in the history of man-kind by delivering the Messiah to His children, knowing full well that many would not embrace Him. Through the 32 years of Jesus life He grew up and walked amongst them. Creating intense and strong friendships along the way with God's children to show them the path to heaven. Culminating in His death and resurrection for their sake, despite His knowledge that many would turn their backs on Him, He did it anyway. His one act of loving grace though has set the standard by which friendships have been measured for centuries.

But the gift is irreplaceable and unmeasurable by human relationship characteristics. The true mark of a lifelong friendship is the sharing of a love for Christ. If you are willing to let your best friend go through life without a knowledge of Jesus Christ as the Savior, Lord and path to salvation, than you need to question how much you really love that person. You say you would do anything for your friend? Then start today by introducing them to Jesus. You can never love them more than that, but He can.

Prayer:,
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your willingness to give Your own Son to die for our sins. To take the scourging that we deserved, He went to His grave on our behalf. We draw upon this tremendous love as an example of how we should be willing to love others. Give us the compassion and desire in our own heart to stand for righteousness and Your name in our actions. In Your name we pray - Amen

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