Happy Easter! It was Easter, yes. Jesus is risen. Before this, He died. He suffered through death. For me. A sinner. Unworthy of anything God has to offer. He loved us THAT much. To the point of death, though He didn’t do anything to deserve it.
No greater love.
As I sought out a new away message before I began my devotions, this song began to play in my head. I knew… I wanted to do my devotion on that passage. (Not gonna lie— Thanks, Google.) It overwhelms me just how much Jesus Christ has done for us. I am overwhelmed with gratitude, joy, and yet, sadness. Sadness because man is so sinful. We deserve death. (“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 6:23) Christ was sinless, but He took our punishment on that cross. DEATH. & finally, 3 days later, He rose from the grave. He is risen & alive. Alive, because He didn’t deserve that punishment at all, but He went through it. For us.
I am amazed and humbled at His preeminence over me. The God we serve is alive and cares so much for us; He is accepting of those who are willing to accept Him.
9“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:9-17; NIV)
Jesus pretty much throws down the basics and says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Amazing. He goes on to say:
Instead, I have called you FRIENDS…
Wow. Friends. This is what He did for us. I really can’t fathom this awesome concept in its entirety, which is why I feel like I’m repeating myself so much. He just puts me in a good mood! “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (v.11) It’s sad that a nonbeliever will never reach true happiness. Full joy comes from the Father, & I believe that with all my heart.
There is no greater love than His.
Kbye.
—Loris.
