The Measure of Love: He Laid Down His Life [short]
01/04/07 15:45 Filed in: Love
The Measure of Love: He Laid Down His Life
Pastor David Lenz
1 April 2007
Text: I John 3:16
“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.”
Part 1: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”
The Road to Jerusalem
The gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke unfold Jesus’ slow but certain journey to Jerusalem. Jesus announces what will happen in Jerusalem: he will suffer and die.
The tension keeps rising as Jesus “sets his face” for Jerusalem (Luke 9:51)
Palm Sunday is a bit of surprise .
We see him met by cheering crowds. A shout rises up – “Hosanna!”
A visual parable, for those who have eyes to see: The King of Glory riding on a donkey! Not a white stallion, but simple donkey. “Humble majesty:”
Important to see Palm Sunday as not just “happening to Jesus” (a tragedy unfolding against his will). But a choice Jesus makes; intentional, active, not passive.
An Intentional Choice.
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd…And I lay down my life for the sheep.”
John 10:18 “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord”
Jesus shows us what love is – we might say, “what love does:”
His intention. Pouring Himself out for us. Costly. Sacrificial.
Part 2: “And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
A Father/Son Banquet: A measure of love.
At David’s son’s college a speaker brought along his nine year old son. Suddenly the room got very serious when the speaker said; “You know, I would give my life for my son –looked at young men in room “Your father would do same.”
A Few Weeks ago in New York City: A measure of love.
A photo Port Authority Police Officer Christopher Amoroso shown actively engaged in rescue efforts during early stages of disaster. Chris re-entered the Towers four times but never returned from his last attempt when building collapsed on him.
Does this set the bar too high?
John hastens add verse 17 “How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother (or sister) in need and yet refuses help?”
There are many kinds of costly love: “laying down our life” might be quite literal.
Or “laying down our life” might mean caring for the poor. This too, is a measure of love.
Key Phrase: “What love is - what love does.”
Call to Action: Where and for whom and how am I to lay down my life?
Pastor David Lenz
1 April 2007
Text: I John 3:16
“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.”
Part 1: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”
The Road to Jerusalem
The gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke unfold Jesus’ slow but certain journey to Jerusalem. Jesus announces what will happen in Jerusalem: he will suffer and die.
The tension keeps rising as Jesus “sets his face” for Jerusalem (Luke 9:51)
Palm Sunday is a bit of surprise .
We see him met by cheering crowds. A shout rises up – “Hosanna!”
A visual parable, for those who have eyes to see: The King of Glory riding on a donkey! Not a white stallion, but simple donkey. “Humble majesty:”
Important to see Palm Sunday as not just “happening to Jesus” (a tragedy unfolding against his will). But a choice Jesus makes; intentional, active, not passive.
An Intentional Choice.
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd…And I lay down my life for the sheep.”
John 10:18 “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord”
Jesus shows us what love is – we might say, “what love does:”
His intention. Pouring Himself out for us. Costly. Sacrificial.
Part 2: “And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
A Father/Son Banquet: A measure of love.
At David’s son’s college a speaker brought along his nine year old son. Suddenly the room got very serious when the speaker said; “You know, I would give my life for my son –looked at young men in room “Your father would do same.”
A Few Weeks ago in New York City: A measure of love.
A photo Port Authority Police Officer Christopher Amoroso shown actively engaged in rescue efforts during early stages of disaster. Chris re-entered the Towers four times but never returned from his last attempt when building collapsed on him.
Does this set the bar too high?
John hastens add verse 17 “How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother (or sister) in need and yet refuses help?”
There are many kinds of costly love: “laying down our life” might be quite literal.
Or “laying down our life” might mean caring for the poor. This too, is a measure of love.
Key Phrase: “What love is - what love does.”
Call to Action: Where and for whom and how am I to lay down my life?