As Jesus was preaching, he made a statement that foreshadowed future events, “Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). I have always thought this statement meant that if I truly loved my friends that I would be willing to lay down my life. However, this statement is about Jesus’ love. In the next verse he states, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (15:14). This statement is a conditional statement, Jesus will call us friends if we do what he asks. This may seem like that gotcha moment in any deal, but his definition of friends is similar to how we define friendship. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines friend as, “one attached to another by affection or esteem” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/friends). In other words, people that you define as friends would be a person that shows favor towards you and cares for your welfare, and you do the same for your friend.
Jesus tells us what he asks of us, “these things I command of you, that ye love one another” (John 15:17). A major theme within Jesus’ teachings it is that we love Heavenly Father and love our neighbors (Matthew 22:37-40). Therefore, we need to show love and respect to others as we would like them to show unto us—basically, the golden rule.
If we do what He asks, then we are shown love and affection by Him and Heavenly Father. Jesus states, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you . . . that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:15-16). And what is it that we ask for? We ask for health, wellbeing, happiness, being with our families, safety and financial stability. We want to know that we are loved, and that death is not the end. All these things are promises made if we are willing to follow the One who is mightiest to save, Jesus Christ.
As we come upon Easter, Archer’s first birthday will be the day before. We will have a small celebration where we go to his graveside and wish him a happy birthday. It will be a sad day because he will not be here to celebrate it. The next day will be four months since his passing. On that day we will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is that day that I can be grateful for this truly amazing gift that Archer having a broken body can claim a perfect body through Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection.
When Jesus was stating what the greatest love was, He was referring to His death, and not only did He give up his life for me, He has given it up for all people. That if we are willing to follow Him and keep his commandments, we can be reunited with Him; and, it is then we will find peace and happiness and be reunited with families. So, as I think of the perfect present for Archer, I know that being with him again will be the best, and it will always be a reminder during the Easter Season when we celebrate his birth that we will be with him again.
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