“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 NIV)
We often expect our friends to stick by us, especially when times are tough. However, it’s during our most difficult moments that we discover who our true friends are. Jesus certainly did. When the time came for Him to be arrested and tried, “everyone deserted him and fled,” even the one who claimed more allegiance than the others (Mark 14:31, 50). But Jesus exemplified His true love for His friends by dying in their place, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). He is the kind of friend we still need today. And although not many of us are blessed with true friends, we can count on Him to be our friend for life. Jesus laid down His life for us, let’s live our lives for Him.
Rising with the Son 