A Gracious, Gentle Invitation

Hello,
 
"There is no greater love than this, that a man should  lay down his life for his friends"  John 15:13
 
Some people love rules.  Generally, I suspect it is because they are the rule makers.  Working for the federal government, we received many directives from Washington.  In following those new guidelines, I always liked the word should better than the word ought, and the word ought better that the word must. 
 
Rule makers love to post signs.  There is one in England that reads:  "Parking Restricted Between 1st April and 30th September 
Each Year to Two Consecutive Hours At Any One Time Between The Hours 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Any Day."  It's best to ride a bus in England.  Americans are different, but the same in a lot of ways.  I hear there is a sign in a Southern California retreat center that guards a large paved area, that simply says:  "No parking, ever."
 
But when we see into the scripture Jesus gives us today, He is saying, should, not must, not even ought.  Is "should" the way you hear Him typically speaking to you?  Should seems to suggest more, what will come to me if I do.  So it always seems to be coming to me as a gracious, gentle invitation.  "If you do..."
 
If this is suggesting that more will follow, what would that be?  It seems there are two outstanding:  Joy and love.  The third could be a number of others that we associate with happiness, such as, peace, or hope. or grace, or mercy.
 
"There is no greater love than this, that a man should lay down his life for his friends."  John 15:13
 
May Jesus bless you and yours real good today, and remember that you are loved!!!
 
Henry