DAILY DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020
SCRIPTURE READING
Scripture: John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
You remember how angry my brother and I were at each other when we were canoeing? Remember what Dad said to us to get us to stop fighting? Why was I angry at my brother?
I was angry because I didn’t want to give up anything for my brother. I didn’t want to give up my own opinion. I didn’t want to paddle in the direction he thought was best. I didn’t want to give up my Dad’s respect for my canoeing and map-reading skills. I didn’t want my brother to be right. I didn’t want to give up anything big or small for my brother. Not the map. Not the canoe. Not the direction we would take as we paddled. Not my pride—I really, really did not want to give up my pride.
Do you ever fight with your little sister? Does she want you to share your dolls?
Do you think the disciples fought with each other the way my brother and I fought with each other?
Yes, they did. The Bible tells us about their fights. For instance, one time, “An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest” (Luke 9:46).
That’s the disciples, but what about Jesus? Did Jesus give up anything because of His love? Did He give up sleep? Did He give up a home and a bed? Did He humble Himself?
Yes, yes, and yes. Jesus had no place to lay His head. In fact, Jesus died on the cross for us. Jesus laid down His life for His friends. Jesus died so their sins could be washed clean by His blood.
Jesus had the greatest love of any man who ever lived. Jesus laid down His life for us.
Scripture: John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
QUESTIONS
- Do you love your little sister?
- Are you willing to give up your doll so your little sister can play with her?
- Because of His love, what did Jesus give up?
SONG OF THE WEEK
Fairest Lord Jesus
Fairest Lord Jesus! Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son!
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s Glory, Joy, and Crown!
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight
And all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels heaven can boast.
Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Dear Father, thank you the self-sacrificing love of Jesus Your Son, Who, though He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, humbling Himself further by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, and all to save undeserving sinners like me from hell. Father, though I can be no man’s savior, still I am commanded by the Law of Christ to be every man’s servant. Help me, therefore, in humble reliance upon You for grace to daily follow Jesus’ example in laying down my life in love for the sake of others around me. Amen.
SCRIPTURE MEMORY THIS WEEK
John 15:9-10 (KJV)
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
