Love That Lays Down Its Life

Before we can speak of Jesus’ love, we must remember who He is. He is the Most High—the eternal Word of God, the Light from Light, the very Life that spoke creation into being. He is the One of whom St. John says:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:1–4)

This is the One who flung stars into space and holds all things in existence. Eternal, radiant, unchanging—and yet… He loves me.

The simplest truth of the Gospel is this: Jesus loves me. Not when I’m perfect. Not when I’ve earned it. He loved me while I was still a sinner (Romans 5:8). Everything else—repentance, virtue, prayer, even mission—flows from that one fountain. Life begins when I finally let His love in, like a child opening their arms.

Jesus does not often say the exact words, “Accept My love,” but He invites it in a hundred ways:

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.” (John 15:9)

To abide is to stay, to rest, to let yourself be held. I imagine myself a child in His arms, no agenda, no performance—just belonging. He even says this leads to joy:

“I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

He calls to the weary:

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

He is not a teacher waiting for me to measure up; He is a Lover longing for me to collapse into His heart. He knocks at the door and simply waits for me to open (Revelation 3:20). This is what it means to accept His love: to stop running, to let Him come in, to live like a branch drawing all its life from the Vine (John 15:5).

But His love does not stop at tender words. He proves His love with His own life. He says it plainly:

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Then He looks at the disciples—and at me—and calls us His friends. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). He gives His body and blood with no hesitation:

“This is my body, which is given for you… this is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many.” (Luke 22:19; Matthew 26:28)

The Apostles understood it perfectly: His death is love in action.

• “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

• “The Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

• “By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us.” (1 John 3:16)

It strikes me that this is the whole Christian life in miniature:

1. He loves me first.

2. I dare to receive that love.

3. My life becomes a thank You.

I find myself praying:

Jesus, Most High and Eternal Light,

I open my heart to You.

I accept the love I could never earn.

I abide in Your heart.

You have already proven Your love for me on the Cross.

Let my whole life be a quiet thank You.

And maybe that’s all that’s needed. To live each day as an act of receiving. To trust that the love of God, once received, will overflow naturally into joy, surrender, and even holiness.