Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

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

Jesus must have counted the whole world's population, before, then and in the future, to be His friends. He did exactly what was stated in John 15:13, and He did it without any hesitation. He could have easily changed the course of events that lead up to His crucifixion, yet, He let them play out exactly as God the Father had intended for them to happen.

Why would anyone be willing to do such a thing?

Faith, hope and love!

Faith that you are not ending your existence, but are placing your eternal existence in the hands of God the Father. Hope that those who receive the benefit of your sacrifice will turn from their ways and follow the Will of God. Love of others to such an extent that you do not think of the consequences to yourself if you follow through with your actions.

We think that we would be able to lay down our lives for those that we love, such as spouse and children, yet, how many of us would be willing to perform the same act for someone we do not know? We may never know the truth about our intentions versus our actual actions, yet, we must be ready to do whatever is called on from us no matter what or who is involved.

What if Jesus had stopped to think and came to the realization that Bob, Joe, Mary, and Sue will never amount to anything, I will not do what I need to do. They do not deserve it. But, he did not do this. He went to the cross for all of us.

Are we ready to do what we must do when the time comes?

Think about that as we remember those who have sacrificed everything for us. There is a quote that I feel summarizes this willing sacrifice quite well.

"Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul; the other for your freedom."
Author: Unknown

I hope that this puts things into perspective as we remember great sacrifices that have been made for us.

Are you willing to do likewise?

Copyright 1998 - 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
https://www.dailylivingministries.org
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