"Will you really lay down your life for me?"

Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! [John 13:37-38]

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. [John 15:13]

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. [1John 3:16]

Life is the most precious thing we have. It is also the most fragile. As we get older, we start realizing this as our strength and health start to depart. Not to be morbid or anything, but I truly wonder if I'll make it to 50. I'm not worried if I don't. I'd like to do great things in my life. But I will die happy if I can lay down my life for the Lord and for my friends.

While I am not depending on it, what if I DO live to old age? Then I will have to do something harder still: SPEND my life for the Lord and His friends, as well as my health, freedom, even my family. How precious these are too.

Yet I know it is within me, as in Simon Peter, to deny my Lord repeatedly and run away at the slightest persecution. So I am not over-confident. I know I might also deny him. How thankful I am to have Him. What else is there but belonging to Jesus my Lord? But gushy emotional love is nothing compared to the love of committment, that is, keeping the covenant.

Having a family is a wonderful thing. Lay it down, if need be, for Him. Having a ministry on the campus is a wonderful thing. Let it be for Him alone. Good health is important. But that too I must be willing to lay down for the Lord. I may not be able to cling to my health much longer. But the meantime, that is what I must lay down for Him, and give my all to the work He has called me to.

Father, forgive my over-concern for the flesh. Help me to lay it down, time, health, strength, freedom and pleasures, all for Jesus.

All for Jesus! all for Jesus!
All my being's ransomed pow'rs:
All my tho'ts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.