In May 2016, a teacher was eating at a restaurant with his wife when he saw a man attack a waitress with a knife. George Heath left his wife’s side and leapt into action—running at the attackers and wrapping his arms around him in an effort to keep the man from hurting anyone else. Heath’s efforts to protect the others in the restaurant proved successful. He was able to detain the suspect until police arrived. Sadly, however, the brave teacher died just minutes later. A stab wound during his heroic rescue attempt led to his death.
George Heath laid his life down for others in the restaurant that day. Heath’s wife later stated that this courageous behavior was typical of him. He often engaged in acts of everyday heroism.
As I think about this brave teacher, I’m reminded of what the greatest Teacher once told His disciples. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Jesus consistently modeled self-giving love to His disciples. He freely shared His life as if it wasn’t His own, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice on the cross (John 19:16-18).
We lay down our lives for others and demonstrate our love for them when we actively seek their good in big and little ways. It might even require that we lose our physical lives as George Heath did. But the key is to die to ourselves every day, laying down our lives following Jesus’ example. Not only did He give us the perfect model to follow, He also provides the strength and perseverance we need to live it out.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 17:32-58
More:
Reflect on 1 Samuel 20:1-42. In what practical ways did Jonathan lay down his life for David?
Next:
In what specific way is God calling you to lay down your life for those around you? How has Jesus’ example inspired you to freely give of yourself?
sandy229 on March 28, 2017 at 12:04 am
Recognize that love obeys Jesus and lays down its life for others. To the NT disciple, godly living is living in, through, and for Jesus. Godliness includes these three elements: love, obedience, and unity. By living godly lives, we learn to see things as God does and adopt His Word as our only standard.
conmeo on March 28, 2017 at 1:37 pm
Bless you Sandy229. Love the quote “love, obedience and unity”. Let it be so….particularly the unity in His Word. It’s huge and hurtful when we lay down our lives for others and we are greeted with a turning away.
sandy229 on March 28, 2017 at 3:31 pm
This is so true. That must be what it’s like to be a living sacrifice which is mentioned in Romans 12:1-2. To “change the way you think” is “to renovate,” implying a restoration to freshness or to an original state. It intimates the potential of redemption’s power to reinstate features of God’s original intention for humanity and a recovery of many potentialities of the human mind and soul as designed before the Fall. The mind constitutes the intellect or understanding, but also includes all that is described in the word “mind-set,” that is, the feelings and the will. Letting God “transform” you by the changing the way you think indicates a literal “change in the form or formulas of thought or being.” This describes redemption’s provision of power that transforms
1) our thoughts, which lead to formulation
2) our purposes, which proceed to dictate our actions; and, thus,
3) our actions become character-determining habits, shaping the life and setting the course for the future.
The path to godly living is not complicated, nor is it energized by the flesh, but it does call the believer to willing submission to the Father’s provision and ways. (Romans 6:23, Galatians 5:16-25)
Marlena Graves on March 28, 2017 at 10:20 pm
Yes, that can be hard.
Marlena Graves on March 28, 2017 at 10:19 pm
Love, obedience, and unity: yes! Thank you for this!
Gary Shultz on March 28, 2017 at 6:12 am
Hi Marlena: I really liked the more section about Jonathan. Most often we are not called to do something like George did; however his wife’s comments captured the essence of Georges life. He made a habit of looking out and caring for others. Although Jonathan lost his life in service to his country, he was a man that placed his friend ahead of his own rights and inheritance. Many people endure under ragged circumstances to help others. George lost his life, sometimes it’s harder to continually keep giving your life day after day in severely trying times. Yes we live among many heroes, many, many, are women who work tirelessly, humbly before circumstances they can not physically challenge. Of course we know we have good men out there too. As we see it’s the Spirit on the inside that allows the servant to continue on the outside. Of course as you indicate we had the greatest teacher, Jesus himself. The picture in our spirit that is worth much more than 1,000 words. The picture that allows us to “Lay Down Our Lives” even if it takes a life time to do it. Thanks Marlena
Monica Brands on March 28, 2017 at 2:37 pm
Thanks so much for these insights, Gary, especially in pointing out the heart of this devotional isn’t so much the sacrifice, amazing as it was, but that is flowed naturally from who George was. One of the unique things about Christian love is that it’s a love that gives more than is “necessary” to be morally acceptable, it reaches beyond to a higher standard of total devotion and willingness to sacrifice for those we love even if they don’t’ “deserve” it. Like you point out, it’s so helpful for us to see examples of people who love more than they had to and offer everything, who all point to Jesus. Thanks, Gary.
Marlena Graves on March 28, 2017 at 10:22 pm
“…sometimes it’s harder to continually keep giving your life day after day in severely trying times.” Yes. It is dying a thousand deaths. And we look to Jesus for help and motivation.
crossman61 on March 28, 2017 at 10:23 am
Thank You Marlena for this great message today !! I have many favorite Scripture verses , and this one is a high priority for me. It is what we are called to do if we are Followers of Christ. Not always so much in a physical sense, But how we must serve , to put others before ourselves . Is also a Death to self. Our struggle against flesh and Spirit . Paul one of The Great Apostles write’s in , 1Corinthians 15:31 ESV , I protest brothers , by my pride in you , which I have in Christ Jesus Our Lord , I die every day! But your message Marlena , there is no Greater Love than this , that a man lay down his life for a friend is much more Powerful . It is Love in Action !!! Any of us can say I love you . But to show it at this depth is Amazing , and so POWERFUL !!! Thank You Jesus!! And all others that have layed there lives down for others.
sandy229 on March 28, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Amen Gary!!
Marlena Graves on March 28, 2017 at 10:24 pm
Absolutely. A continual death to self – requires that great Love. None of us likes to die. We often fight it. But if we lose our lives for His sake, as you know, he says we gain them!
sandy229 on March 29, 2017 at 9:56 am
Amen!!
street on March 28, 2017 at 12:07 pm
In what specific way is God calling you to lay down your life for those around you? How has Jesus’ example inspired you to freely give of yourself?
as i think of this question it appears that Jesus is more than just an example. He is God. i need to be found in Him and he needs to be found in me. therefor a cross. it gets me out of the way, yet not dead, but alive! looking forward to a time when there is no more influence of evil and darkness. yes God has placed us in a wilderness, but He did not leave us orphans. walk in the valley like david, with God.
Marlena Graves on March 28, 2017 at 10:24 pm
Thank you for that encouragement!
hsnpoor on March 30, 2017 at 8:20 pm
This scripture came up on the Oswald Chambers site a few weeks ago and I had an epiphany, at the time. It spoke very loudly to me that the friend we are laying our lives down for in our daily living are not our actual friends, neighbors and strangers; but, rather the Friend was actually Jesus. Those others are the beneficiary, but Jesus owns the policy.
sandy229 on March 30, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Thank you for sharing that with us Kim. I hadn’t thought of that.