Lay It Down
Today we commemorate the 75th anniversary and the sacrifice of the World War II service members who fought for freedom. As I think of the sacrifices made that day I’m reminded of the words of Jesus and I am reflecting on His words to the disciples and for believers today.
Jesus didn’t suggest that we love one another no friends He commanded us to love you another. Think of them in light of what our Lord tells us in this passage of scripture. Remember His words the next time you see one of these men out and about our community.
John 15.12-17
12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Vs 12 The 1commandment to love why, because we have been loved
1Entolē: of those things which God commanded to be done by Christ, John 15:10b
Vs 13 The greatest form of love - 2to lay down our lives for our friends
2Tithēmi: to lay down, give up, one's life
Vs 14 We are Jesus friends when we do what He commands
Vs 15 No longer a servant, but a friend
Vs 16 We have been 3chosen and appointed
3Eklegomai: one from among many (of Jesus choosing his disciples), John 6:70; John 13:18; John 15:16; Acts 1:2, and from a number of persons, Luke 6:13:, John 15:19
Vs 16 We should bear fruit that abides
Vs 16 Abiding in Christ is a guarantee to answered prayer
Vs 17 We aren’t given a suggestion to love we have been COMMANDED to love by our Lord
Below is the link to President Roosevelt’s speech given as the allied troops fought faithfully for freedom. May we never forget the greatest sacrifice ever made was by our Lord when He sent His Son to give us freedom. Amen
President Franklin D. Roosevelt speech link
http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/fdr-prayer.htm