Once there lived a troop of monkeys in a forest. The monkeys enjoyed the richness of the forest. The forest was a perfect place for the monkeys to live in with full of trees serving them both with shelter and food until the day the forest caught fire. The poor monkeys were helpless and were looking for a way to get out of the forest. As the trees were on fire, the monkeys managed to walk on foot to the edge of the forest but they could not get out of the forest as there was a stream flowing in between, separating the land from the forest. No monkey was able to cross the stream for it was very deep and a little wider than they could jump over. With no time to make a decision as the situation demanded, the leader of the monkeys jumped into the stream. While the other monkeys screamed and stood puzzled, the dead leader monkey’s body floated on the stream and with tears flowing down the eyes, the other monkeys jumped to the land stepping on the leader monkey’s body.

The leader monkey laid down its life to save the other monkeys. What a love!

The word of God says,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

"There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13

"GOD demonstrates His own love" means He loves in action. He did it by giving us His Son JESUS and today God expects us to do the same, to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 John 3:16-18 (GNT) says,

“16 This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others!

17 If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God?

18 My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.”

The need of the hour is Jesus.

The friend who sits next to you in your classroom needs Jesus.

The driver who takes you to school every day needs Jesus.

Your neighbour and your friend who gives you sweets every diwali needs Jesus.

What are you going to do? Are you willing to lay down your selfish and self-centered life to become a bridge for others around you to accept Jesus like the brave leader monkey did?

Are you ready to love in action like our Lord Jesus? If yes, will you please pray this prayer?

Dear Lord,

I come to you just as I am and I willingly offer my life to you.Accept me as a living sacrifice and use me as a bridge where many perishing souls around me will come to You and be saved. Whatever it costs and whatever may come, let me be faithful to You.

Accept me as a living sacrifice and use me as a bridge where many perishing souls around me will come to You and be saved. Whatever it costs and whatever may come, let me be faithful to You.

In Jesus name, Amen.