God's Glory Church

“No one has greater love than the one who would lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13

Just a few days before Easter week, when Christians around the world remember the sacrifice of Jesus and celebrate his resurrection, a terrorist broke into a supermarket in southwestern France, opened fire and killed two people. After negotiations, the terrorist released all the hostages except one woman, using her as a cover for himself. Aware of the danger, police officer Arno Beltrame did the unthinkable. He voluntarily exchanged the hostage for himself. The criminal let the woman go, but Beltram was wounded during the fight and later died.

A minister who knew the police officer attributed his heroism to his faith in Jesus, pointing to the words of John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Christ spoke these words to the disciples after their last meal together. He urged His friends: “That you love one another as I have loved you” (v. 12). The greatest manifestation of love is the sacrifice of one’s life for the sake of another (v. 13). This is exactly what Jesus did when he went to the cross for our salvation from sin. Only He could do that.

We may never have to emulate the heroism of Arnaud Beltrame. However, being in God’s love, we can serve others, sacrificing our plans and desires for the sake of witnessing His great love.

How do you react to stories like Arnaud Beltrame’s? How can you sacrificially serve someone today?

Dear Jesus, You died to give me eternal life. Help me live with gratitude for this gift and share it with those whom You send on my path.

By Amy Buescher Pye