Reed Mueller

In studying for my sermon this week I ran across a very short commentary note on John 15:13 that I really liked. I think the value in the note you’ll see below is in what the author highlights about how love that is true blows right through our typical categories like that of friend/enemy. Enjoy…

Now comes the reference to the greatest love of all. There is no love greater than that of one who lays down his life for others. Anything else must be less. This is the supreme test of love. In the context this must refer primarily to the love of Jesus shown on the cross. There he laid down his life on behalf of his friends. Some have raised the question whether the love that dies for enemies is not greater than that which is concerned for friends, but that is not before us here. In this passage Jesus is not comparing the love that sacrifices for enemies with that which sacrifices for friends. He is in the midst of friends and is speaking only of friends. With respect to them he is saying that one cannot have greater love than to die for them. When it is a question of enemies Jesus did in fact die for them (Rom. 5:10). And as Loyd says, “in truth love has sunk below its proper level if it begins to ask who is my friend and who my enemy. Love gives, and gives everything, for all men.” That is the thought of this verse. Jesus gives everything, even life itself, for others. There is no greater proof of love. Morris, L. (1995). The Gospel According to John. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. [emphasis mine]