Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you...These things I command of you, that ye love one another (John 15:13-17).
On reading this, the first thought which might come to mind is the military soldier who goes into battle for the protection of a nation. I’m reminded how oftentimes, in the call of duty; a soldier lays down his life so that others can live in freedom.
Without seeing verse 13 in written form, one might perceive that these words were spoken by a mere mortal. However, the red print in this verse means these are words spoken specifically by Jesus Christ during His 33 years on earth, in human form.
While laying down one’s life for another is an example of showing love in its highest form, Jesus swiftly flows into clarifying of whom He would lay down His life for. Jesus specifically identifies that He would lay down His life for His friends. He even defines who He calls friend.
While soldiers go into battle, risking their lives for the collective majority; Jesus says He was sanctified (set apart) to give His Life for those who obey the Will of His Father.
Interestingly, Matthew 7:21-23, tells how some will remind Jesus on that Final Day of all the things they did on His behalf; for which He will reply without hesitation, “Be gone, for I never knew you.”
This infers that there are many self-serving people who aren’t really grounded in living a godly life. They do all of the godly moves; but, in their hearts they have no sincere regard for God and Kingdom-building work.
In this John 15, red-letter text, Jesus says He chose and ordained His disciples. They, just as believers in modern-day society, were to go into the world, and bring forth fruit that would yield a harvest that would attract new believers to the faith.
In this verse, the fruit of the Spirit are listed as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Christ disciples are to bear good fruit that remains in the hearts and minds of all those seeking salvation, as a reflection of Who Jesus is.
And, lastly, while being on Jesus’ A-list is more than one could ever desire, He adds an icing-clause that whatever a Christ disciple asks the Father in Jesus’ Name, He may gift it them. I like the word ‘may’ here; because, it prevents immature believers from tacking ‘in Jesus' Name’ onto a request that is not in their best interest, according to the Divine Plan.
For example, asking for a million dollars just to be rich would probably become a stumbling block to doing the work of fulfilling one’s Divine Purpose. God would never give us something that might cause us to lose direction on our Christian journey.
In this very powerful, red-text verse, Jesus leaves us with a Command which, of course, remains to this day:
LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Don’t judge…LOVE.
Peace.
Additional reading: Even in the Tears and Silence, God Hears