FRIDAY February 14, 2025
Valentine’s Day
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
John 15:13
On Valentine’s Day, love is expressed in different ways: cards, flowers, chocolates and gifts; but Jesus’ very own words express the greatest way to demonstrate love––“to lay down one’s life for his friends.” What is the most valuable thing to us? Is it not life itself? Self-preservation is a natural instinct––we will do anything to survive. However, to lay your life down for someone else is a selfless act.
Heroes are people who risk their lives for the sake of another person. It is seen when: a father dives into the lake to save his drowning child; when a mother willingly shields her child from harm; when a firefighter enters a burning building to rescue as many people as he can; or when the Marine, although under fire, is determined to save a fallen comrade on the battlefield.
Know this: Jesus was willing to die for us. The Cross was before Him. Then the day came when He allowed Himself to be crucified. God’s love for us was openly demonstrated in Jesus’ willful actions: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Pain and agony were endured to prove God’s love for us: By this we know love, because He [Jesus] laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16). Do you know God’s great love? “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
What will be your response to Jesus’ sacrificial love shown to you as He agonized on the Cross? Will you embrace His love and accept His gift of salvation? Are you willing to die to yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus––the One who truly loves you?
The cross is not a mere event in history; it's a way of life! “Take up your cross DAILY.” Jesus said!
~John Piper~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
