People who hear ancient Christian teaching will eventually hear the phrase, "He [Jesus] laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for each other." (1 Jn. 3.16) The fact that the First Epistle of St. John 3.16 echoes the Gospel of St. John 3.16 is likely not an accident on part of those who divided gospels and epistles into chapter and verse long after they were written, but that is beside the point. The point is people unfamiliar with Christian teaching will look at that and somewhat lose their composure.
It is true, God asks a lot of Christians, because although love is the highest good it is also costly. It is best explained in the verses following this statement: "How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." (1 Jn. 3.17-18) Laying down your life isn't just standing in harm's way to save someone else, although the possibility of that being required is there, but it's also reaching out to help in little ways. The beggar who has nothing (and God forgive any of us who say, "They'll only use the money to buy liquor," or any other such loveless thought), the friend who has been evicted, the person whose marriage just ended, all of these are people created in the Imago Dei, the Image of God, for whom Christ died, are those for whom we are to lay down our lives, to give of ourselves to help.
No, we cannot by ourselves save the world. No, we cannot together save the world. God in Christ Jesus has saved the world and we are tasked as His disciples to go out and make it happen and to proclaim the good news along the way.
It is attributed to St. Francis, "Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words." It is necessary to use BOTH words and deeds. How will anyone know that it is by the will of God we do this if we do not say so? How will the hope that drives us be communicated if we do not say so? St. Peter himself proclaimed this after the healing of the cripple at the Temple steps in front of the authorities:
"Let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is, 'the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." (Acts 4.10-12)
Disciples of the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep, for us, will we not return the favour?
Christ the Good Shepherd, Mausoleum of Galla Placida, Ravenna, Fifth Century AD (Alamy Stock Photo)
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