DictionaryAfter My post last week on being ready to die, a friend of mine (one of the 30 MM) replied with a story using the example of “no greater love" which Marines in combat see many times: a willingness to die for their brothers in arms. I've ran out of time every day this week (this morning no exception) but I revisit my posts sometimes to make corrections… I've re-read this one to make it a little more clear, and it's interesting that even though it was written over a year ago, the echo of certain ideas continues to reverberate… It was during the time leading up to Easter, and I was preparing by reading the Gospel stories leading up to that day… Enjoy!
Posted in: Devotional by CaptainAJ in The Big 3 Zone on April 02, 2010
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 (NLT)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. I John 4:18 (NKJV)
I have been moved recently by this season leading up to the day Jesus died. Just last Sunday my pastor said, “Today was the day Jesus started His last week on earth” There was something about Christ knowing what He was going to endure that just hit me – in a way it never had before! Many times in my life I feel like God uses separate but similar experiences or scripture or conversations that reinforce each other. These can be things I’ve read in books or magazines, or things I’ve heard in church and on the radio, etc. For example, just this morning at Prayer Breakfast, we read the passage that I had JUST listened to in my car via the audio bible CD – Hebrews 4. And then the Chaplain brought up “Maundy Thursday” and I thought of how yesterday’s blog post related to service, which is what the day is all about! (Washing feet is one of the church practices for this day.)
One of these God-incidences (AKA Spiritual coincidences) happened during my one-on-one discipleship meeting Tuesday morning. We’re studying Spiritual Warfighting using MCDP-1 as a reference – The Marine Corps’ Doctrinal publication on fighting wars. This week, while looking at violence in war, we recognized the applications to spiritual war were numerous, but hardly apparent. What is apparent is the violence that Jesus experienced in His Passion. MCDP-1 states that fear is inherent in war, and that “Leaders must foster the courage to overcome fear.” My mentor and I attempted to tackle the question: How do you foster courage to overcome fear? And one way to foster that courage – the way Jesus did it – by laying down His life.
I don’t think we will fully ever grasp the love of Christ, it's just too vast boundless, and our minds are way too limited. It is impossible for the finite to comprehend the infinite. I pray that won’t stop us from striving to know His love however, because there is no greater love and He makes the impossible possible.
The fact is, He’s given us that love and demonstrated how we MUST love each other. Love is how we lead and how we courageously destroy fear in our lives and the lives of those around us. So here’s a challenge for you today, as you recognize the day Christ defined love when He laid down His life: I challenge myself and I challenge you to share that love with someone who doesn’t deserve it, because we certainly didn’t deserve what He did.
Peace,
Adam