In the sermon ‘Greater Love’ Senior Pastor Wanje reminded us that Jesus commanded His disciples to love each other as He had loved them. Jesus spoke of a “Greater love…than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:12-13). Jesus called His disciples friends, including Judas and Peter who He knew would betray and deny Him thrice, respectively. At His trial, some of the crowds He might have fed during His ministry rejected Him. At crucifixion, a thief insulted Him. Today, as followers and friends of Jesus, we are reminded of the “three things that last forever – faith, hope, and love – the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). There is one who offers greater love and who gave His life for His friends, Jesus Christ.
You have perhaps heard of parents who give sacrificially for the education of their children etc. There haven’t been reports of any who gave their lives for their family or friends. Jesus is the ultimate sacrificial lamb who reconciles sinful man to God. He sees us from a perspective of who we become after cleansing, and not from the standpoint of our sin. God Almighty, is the eternal source of this greater love manifested as we love others in action and truth (I John 3:18). Since God loved us first (since creation), there is nothing that can separate us from Him, His greater love (Roman 8:35-39), and redemption through Jesus.
APPLICATION.
1.What is your perspective on those that have betrayed, denied, insulted or rejected you?
- How will you respond when called to give towards God’s work or serve in ministry?
- Will you accept Jesus and share His greater love with others?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you are the source of greater love. Help me have an eternal perspective and see people not from the standpoint of how they have failed, but from how your greater love can turn all of us towards you. Help me love others as you have loved me, I pray. Amen.
