1) The Greatest Love, John 15:13
This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (John 15:12-14)
The only quote which speaks of the great love in relationship to the crucifixion is actually a command to Jesus' followers (Rom 5:8 is God's love to sinners). Many may take this passage to mean that Jesus showed such great love in giving his life. He did, but would Jesus praise himself in this way?
The context indicates it is a command, or a direction to his disciples, his followers. They must love one another, they must be willing to go to the extent of laying down their life for each other.
To break the command down:
Command 1. you love another
as I love you
where:
greatest love = “laying down ones life for”
therefore in Command 1:
you lay down life for another
If love is that a man 'lay down his life for his friends, and Jesus is a friend,
then,
You must lay down your life for Jesus.
This understanding is supported by direct statements as to what is required to be a follower.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:25-26, cp Mark 8:38)
There is no doubt at all that much is asked of the true follower of Christ.
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sits not down first, and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an ambassage, and desires conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-33)
In other words “who has such great love for me as to give up this life?” Later in Luke he returns to the idea,
Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. (Luke 17:32-33)
Peter understood what was asked, but had not the courage to live it then,
Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. (John 13:37-38)
Also directly in the context of facing his death at the hand of those who hated him,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (John 12:24-26)
The only verse in the Bible with both 'love' and 'cross' in it is,
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing you lack: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross (stake), and follow me. (Mark 10:21)
Most hope that he did not really mean all these words and commands literally, fully, for them. Most would prefer that they may admire the great love of a man who gave his life for them, but in that very passage the great love that is commanded is that his followers give their lives to him and for each other.
For more on the great love shown by Jesus and what it mean to us today For righteousness sake : The obedient Son
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
This may be one of the most misunderstood passages of the Bible. Paul is notorious for long sentences of connected thoughts, and this is part of a complex wide ranging thought which lasts 2 chapters, and includes what seems opposite advice:
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Cor. 5:11-13)
As I was thinking to write this article, having just read Psalm 46 as I do each year on that day, on January 25th a Bible was found untouched after a tornado hit Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
We have been given many time periods to prophetic events in the Bible. Many people think it too hard, and do not make an effort to understand them. However, if they were not to be understood, why were they given? And the Bible says the wise shall understand (Daniel 12:10).
In the light of the findings of science, how literally do we take what the scriptures say about the power of the God of the Bible, Yahweh Elohim (literally He who will become Mighty Ones)? Science at its best is a measurement of observable and repeatable phenomenon wrapped up in explanations which abound in analogy. There is no doubt in the benefit of investigating phenomena of the natural world. The surprising thing is that the more we investigate natural phenomena, the more it fits the explanations recorded over 2000 years ago.
The God of Israel is approachable and reasonable. He often speaks directly to his people. The following will seek to understand a passage where he speaks via the prophet Amos which has a few variant translations.
