John 15:13 (ESV)
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down
his life for his friends.
Here is a great illustration of sacrificial love found in
Charles Dickens' Tale of Two Cities, where Sidney Carton dies for Charles
Darnay. The young Frenchman has been condemned to die by the guillotine. Sidney
Carton is a dissipated English lawyer who has wasted great gifts and quenched
high possibilities in riotous living. When he learns the plight of his friend,
he determines to save him by laying down his own life—not for the love he has
for the man, but for the sake of the man's wife and child.
To that end Carton gains admission to the dungeon the
night before the execution, changes garments with the condemned man, and the
next day is led out and put to death as Charles Darnay. Before he went to the
dungeon he had entered the courtyard and remained there for a few minutes
alone, looking up at the light in the window of the daughter's room. He was led
by the light of love, but it led straight to a dungeon and thence to the guillotine.
As we see him ascending the steps to the place of death,
his hands bound behind his back, taking his last look at the world, we feel
that a noble ending has sanctified an ignoble life; and these words of our Savior
come to mind: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends".
Dear Lord, help us each have the love that will look out
for others. We thank You for giving of Your life to show Your love for us. In
the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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