This verse has an unusual
structure. It’s a positive statement
using a negative. Greater love=positive,
has no one than this=, negative no one has it(greater love) more than a person
who lays down his life for his friends.
If nothing else, this unusual sentence is striking and gets my
attention.
Once I am paying close
attention, I must stop and think….what is this all about? Jesus left all the comforts of Heaven and
died for his friends. It was the most
loving thing He could do. He went to the
ultimate discomfort, a painful and humiliating death, to do his Father’s
will. He gave His whole self and even endured
separation from the Father during the crucifixion. He had always had fellowship with the Father
but willing forsaked that for a short time to enable his followers to have
fellowship with the Father for all eternity
Yes, I’m getting it. Greater love has no one than
this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
