Daily Devo - John 15:13, by Sarah Bobis

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.- John 15:17

“I love you.” Pretty heavy words for a not-so-heavy meaning. The word love is thrown around so often that it’s easy to forget what true love is. It isn’t the warm fuzzies that you feel when someone is near, nor is it borrowing a dollar from an acquaintance for lunch and replying, “Thank you, I love you!” Well, if the world’s definition doesn’t work, then what is God’s idea of love?

Jesus answers this question in verse 15. Not only is he referring to his own life sacrifice on the cross, but He is also referring to the sacrifices we make for others. To love is to “lay your life down”; sacrifice by giving of your time, energy, and possessions for those who need it. Christ dedicated His life and His death to save us and to help us come to eternity with the Father. THAT is love.

So what can you do to really “love people”? Think about ways that you can make sacrifices for your friends and family, and remember Christ’s example on the cross. Maybe you could help your family around the house or help a friend study for a test. It won’t always be easy; in fact, sacrifice isn’t supposed to be easy. But there is no greater love than this.

Pray and ask God to show you opportunities in which you can love others, and meditate on the true love that God has shown us through Christ. Ask Him to change your definition of the word “love” and remember what it truly means. Pray for courage to help give others the love God has bestowed upon you to give.