Love Is Chosen, Not Accidental
“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.” - John 10:18a (CSB)
When Jesus says the greatest love is to lay down one’s life, He is not describing tragedy.
He is describing decision.
The cross was not an unfortunate turn of events. It was not fate. It was not chaos winning. Jesus was not overpowered. He was not cornered.
He chose.
In John 10, Jesus says plainly, “No one takes it from me.” That statement dismantles every shallow view of the crucifixion. Rome did not ultimately take His life. The crowds did not take His life. Betrayal did not take His life.
He laid it down.
The word carries the idea of placing something deliberately. Setting it down. Giving it over. This is not victim language. This is surrender language. And that changes how we understand love.
Love in the kingdom of God is not primarily something that happens to you. It is something you decide. It is obedience in motion.
We tend to think of love as emotional. Something that overtakes us. Something that swells when conditions are right. But Jesus defines love in the language of surrender.
That exposes us.
We often wait for better conditions before we love well. We wait until it feels safer. We wait until we feel appreciated. We wait until the other person moves first.
Jesus did not wait.
He knew betrayal was coming. He knew abandonment was certain. He knew the cross was brutal. And still, He moved toward it.
That is decisive love.
And this matters for your daily life. Because most of the moments where you are called to love will not feel dramatic. They will feel ordinary. Irritation. Fatigue. Disappointment. Offense. In those moments, love is not a feeling you wait for. It is obedience you choose.
This does not mean you manufacture emotion. It means you move in faith.
The greatest love was not reactive. It was intentional.
And the One who chose the cross now calls you to choose obedience in smaller but real ways each day.
Reflection Question
Where are you waiting for better conditions before choosing obedience in love?
Love is not what overwhelms you. It is what you surrender.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You that the cross was not accidental but intentional. You chose to lay down Your life for me. Teach me to choose obedience instead of waiting for comfort. Strengthen me to love decisively, not reactively. Shape my daily choices to reflect Yours. Amen.
When Jesus says the greatest love is to lay down one’s life, He is not describing tragedy.
He is describing decision.
The cross was not an unfortunate turn of events. It was not fate. It was not chaos winning. Jesus was not overpowered. He was not cornered.
He chose.
In John 10, Jesus says plainly, “No one takes it from me.” That statement dismantles every shallow view of the crucifixion. Rome did not ultimately take His life. The crowds did not take His life. Betrayal did not take His life.
He laid it down.
The word carries the idea of placing something deliberately. Setting it down. Giving it over. This is not victim language. This is surrender language. And that changes how we understand love.
Love in the kingdom of God is not primarily something that happens to you. It is something you decide. It is obedience in motion.
We tend to think of love as emotional. Something that overtakes us. Something that swells when conditions are right. But Jesus defines love in the language of surrender.
- You choose to forgive.
- You choose to absorb cost.
- You choose to serve.
- You choose to stay when walking away would be easier.
That exposes us.
We often wait for better conditions before we love well. We wait until it feels safer. We wait until we feel appreciated. We wait until the other person moves first.
Jesus did not wait.
He knew betrayal was coming. He knew abandonment was certain. He knew the cross was brutal. And still, He moved toward it.
That is decisive love.
And this matters for your daily life. Because most of the moments where you are called to love will not feel dramatic. They will feel ordinary. Irritation. Fatigue. Disappointment. Offense. In those moments, love is not a feeling you wait for. It is obedience you choose.
This does not mean you manufacture emotion. It means you move in faith.
The greatest love was not reactive. It was intentional.
And the One who chose the cross now calls you to choose obedience in smaller but real ways each day.
Reflection Question
Where are you waiting for better conditions before choosing obedience in love?
Love is not what overwhelms you. It is what you surrender.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You that the cross was not accidental but intentional. You chose to lay down Your life for me. Teach me to choose obedience instead of waiting for comfort. Strengthen me to love decisively, not reactively. Shape my daily choices to reflect Yours. Amen.
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