"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one’s friends." John 15:13 (NIV)
Something is arresting about this verse—something that transcends the pages of Scripture and grabs you by the collar, urging you to rethink not just your faith but also your leadership, your relationships, your business, and your very approach to life.
This isn’t just theology. It’s a masterclass in influence.
When Jesus spoke these words, He wasn’t addressing angels or monks cloistered in silence. He was talking to imperfect, impulsive, messy human beings, His disciples. A tax collector, a zealot, hot-headed fishermen, skeptics, doubters, men with pride and scars. Andhee didn't just say this; He lived it. Within hours, He would prove this love not in theory but on a cross.
And that changes everything.
We live in a time when love is often measured by convenience, leadership by success, and business by profit margins. But Jesus flips the model.
He redefines greatness not by how much we gain, but by how much we're willing to give. In a boardroom, that means choosing people over pride. In a startup, that means laying down ego to serve the vision. In a family, that means sacrificing time, comfort, and reputation because love chooses what's best for others, not just what’s easy for oneself.
In business, you’re told to network for leverage. Jesus says: Lay your life down for your friends. That’s disruptive. That’s rare. That’s legacy.
Let’s be clear: this love isn't weak. It’s not passive. It doesn’t avoid hard conversations or tough decisions. This kind of love shows up when it's costly. It sacrifices reputation for righteousness. It fights for integrity over image.
We often want influence without intimacy in leadership. But Jesus shows us that authentic leadership requires proximity. He didn't lead from a stage. He led around tables, in storms, through interruptions, washed feet, wept with grief, and bled for the mission.
And then He said, "Follow Me."
So, how does John 15:13 change your Monday morning meeting or your next big decision? It forces you to ask:
Who am I leading—my people or my image?
What am I willing to sacrifice for the good of others?
Where am I avoiding hard love because it’s inconvenient?
And perhaps most importantly:
Am I building something that will outlive me or just benefit me?
Jesus didn’t just give His life for saints. He gave it for skeptics, for sinners, for outcasts. People like us. This means that in your business, ministry, coaching, and parenting, there is no one unworthy of sacrificial love. No colleague is too tricky. No client is too messy. No family member is too far gone.
Define your non-negotiables. What are you willing to lay down for the people you serve? Your ego? Your comfort? Your "perfect plan"?
Lead relationally, not transactionally. Know your people. Listen to their stories. Care beyond KPIs and bottom lines.
Model vulnerability. Don't just ask others to show up—go first. Let love drive your decisions, even when they're risky.
Anchor in truth. Spend time meditating on John 15. Abide in the Vine. Sacrificial love isn't sustainable without spiritual fuel.
Build a legacy over a brand. Success fades, but people remember how you made them feel. And love—real love—echoes into eternity.
Jesus laid down His life—not just to save souls, but to set a standard. His love is not sentimental; it's sacrificial. It's not weak; it's fierce. It doesn’t just challenge how we live—it dares us to die to ourselves, daily, for the sake of others.
So, whether you're building a business, raising a family, or navigating a leadership role, take a moment and rest in this truth: There is no greater love than the love that gives.
And there is no greater life than the one that reflects it.
Want to go deeper? Ask yourself today: What would it look like to lead from a place of love, not leverage?
That question might just be the most potent pivot in your story yet.
Lord Jesus, Thank You for showing us the greatest love the world has ever known. You laid down your life to save and teach us how to love, lead, and live purposefully.
Help us carry that same love into our everyday lives—into our work, leadership, families, and communities. Give us the courage to lay down our pride, comfort, and agendas so others might flourish.
Teach us to lead with humility, serve with integrity, and build with eternity in mind. Remind us that true greatness is found in selfless love.
May our lives echo Your love in every decision we make. In Your mighty name we pray, Amen.