“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13
The cruise ship, the Costa Concordia, struck rocks off the west coast of Italy and began to take on water. Chaos ensued. Passengers screamed, people began to fight over life jackets, men pushed past women and children, and many tried to launch the lifeboats half-full. In the turmoil, a crew member by the name of Manrico Giampedroni, 57, had a decision to make. Stay on the ship and help the passengers or save himself. Valiantly, Manrico searched for passengers in the wet and cold hallways of the ship... returning time and time again to places where people screamed out in terror. One by one, he led people to the safe arms of those in the life boats. Before long, the skies grew dark and visibility fell to zero. In an effort to rescue even more passengers, Manrico slipped and fell in the rising water and broke his leg.
In scripture, Jesus teaches us to love others the way He loves us.
Completely...sacrificially...wholly. We are to love others with a type of love that is unique and unconditional. One, that when displayed, makes others see the reflection of Jesus Christ. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords paid the ultimate price for those He loves... you and I. He willingly carried His cross, was nailed to it’s beam, and gave up His life. For us. For you. God gave His one and only Son so that we could better understand the extent we are to go in loving others. Today’s verse says there is “no greater love” than this... sacrificing self...putting personal needs second to the needs of others...giving it all... for those that God puts in our path. How far would you go to show love?
Mother Teresa once said “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” I think that’s true. Love knows no end. When we give of ourselves and sacrifice fully for others, we simply find the ability to love more deeply.
36 hours after the accident, rescue workers found Manrico Giampedroni.
Alive and well. Shaken and in pain, but alive.
Who needs you to love them at that level today? Who needs you to sacrifice for them... to boldly step into their life and rescue them... regardless of the danger or possible turmoil? It’s my prayer that you would not only discover that person but would have the courage to love without limits.
