"No One Has Greater Love Than This"

Jesus set an outstanding example of self-sacrificing love. Self-sacrificing involves unselfishly putting the needs and concerns of others ahead of our own. How did Jesus demonstrate such Love? He himself explained: "No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul in behalf of his friends." (John 15:13) Jesus willingly gave his perfect life for us. It was the greatest expression of love ever made by any human. But Jesus showed self-sacrificing love in other ways as well.

In his prehuman existence, the only-begotten Son of God had a privileged and exalted position in the heavens. He had intimate association with Jehovah and with multitudes of spirit creatures. Despite these personal advantages, this dear Son "emptied himself and took a slave's form and came to be in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:7) He willingly came to live among sinful humans in a world "lying in the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19) Was that not a loving sacrifice on the part of God's Son?

Throughout his earthly ministry, Jesus showed self-sacrificing love in various ways. He was totally unselfish. He was so absorbed in his ministry that he sacrificed normal comforts to which humans are accustomed. "Foxes have dens and birds of heaven have roosts," he said, "but the Son of man has nowhere to lay down his head." (Matthew 8:20) Being a skilled carpenter, Jesus could have taken some time off to build a comfortable home for himself or to make beautiful furniture to sell so that he would have had some extra money. But he did not use his skills to gain material things.

A truly touching example of Jesus' self-sacrificing love is recorded at John 19:25-27. Imagine the many things that must have occupied the mind and heart of Jesus on the afternoon of his death. As he suffered on the stake, he was concerned about his disciples, the preaching work and especially his integrity and how it would reflect on his Father's name. Really, the entire future of mankind rested on his shoulders! Yet, just moments before he died, Jesus also showed concern for his mother, Mary, who was apparently a widow by then. Jesus asked the apostle John to look after Mary as if she were John's own mother, and the apostle thereafter took Mary to his home. Jesus thus arranged for the physical and spiritual care of his mother. What a tender expression of unselfish love!

Next time: "He Was Moved With Pity"

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002