Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friend” (John 15:13). The first person in the Bible to willingly offer his life for another is Judah, a son of the Patriarch Jacob. We learn an important biblical concept.

True love sacrifices.

Joseph has suffered much, but God kept promoting him until he was in charge of Egypt and armed with knowledge about a massive famine. When his brothers bow before him seeking bread, and thus fulfilling the dream he had many years earlier, Joseph puts their character to the test. With a number of false accusations, he sets up a similar scenario to the one in which he was betrayed and sold into slavery. 

Judah is on display in Genesis 44. He was the brother who initially suggested selling Joseph (Genesis 37:26), then he mistreated his daughter-in-law (Genesis 38). By chapter 42, all the brothers are admitting guilt. In Genesis 43:8, Judah pledges his life in exchange for Benjamin out of love for his father. He is shocked to learn that Joseph is in charge and forgives him. Judah is a changed man. Out of love for his father, he offered himself for his brother. This prepares us for the Gospel. Out of love for his Father, Jesus offered himself for his enemies. “…while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We are now enlisted to love others because he first loved us. Image bearers of God are called to love others like God does.

Taking It Home: This week, look for an opportunity to extend love to someone by laying down your own interests in order to care for some interest of theirs.  Note the level of satisfaction you feel afterwards.