“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

John 15:13-14

It seems Jesus is concluding His teachings to His disciples. He calls them friends, not servants, because a servant doesn’t know the will of His Father (paraphrase of verse 15). Jesus has spent three plus years teaching and demonstrating His authority given to Him by His Father.

It seems natural to assume Jesus is speaking of someone dying to save a friend. Is there more implied here other than death?

Maybe Jesus’ meaning of sacrifice is a daily sacrificial commit-ment to the teaching of Jesus. Jesus explains that He is the vine and we are the branches. Then Jesus concludes in verse 8, “This is my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Is sacrifice for friends being there for them, ready to listen, comfort, and share Jesus’ teachings when the opportunity presents itself? Being the grafted branches to the vine provides the opportunity to produce the best fruit and in great abundance! Amen.

Prayer

Father, Your risen Son grafted us to His vine. Help us to glorify His name by bearing righteous fruit. Let Your Holy Spirit continue to dwell in us. To Jesus be the glory!

Daily Reading: Proverbs 28

– Contributed by Conrad Griggs