JESUS SPEAKING
“You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15: 14 – 15.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
After eating the Passover feast, the Lord said farewell to his closest companions. In a long discourse (filled with emotion and love) Jesus revealed God’s complete plan to the disciples. During this address, those who had called him Master were urged to consider him a ‘friend.’ The term ‘friend’ implied a deeper, more intimate relationship. In ancient times, masters and servants were never equals; they weren’t partners; and they certainly were never friends; their positions prevented them from close personal fellowship. In order to preserve authority and respect, the master had to maintain a safe distance (as “familiarity breeds disrespect.”) Yet the ‘King of Kings’ (Jesus) shattered the barriers that hindered true intimacy. The disciples became his equals; no longer was he just their Lord and master; he became their brother; their closest companion; and their greatest friend.
At the age of 19, I worked as a guard and a counselor in a minimum security juvenile facility. My role was that of a disciplinarian. Often, when a child misbehaved, we had to intervene and physically restrain them. The staff was given a great deal of power and authority. Although we interacted with the children in positive ways, we had to maintain a professional distance. Too much intimacy caused them to lose respect for us and our positions. If they came to believe we were their equals, they would question and disobey our commands. Those who falsely see God as an equal lose respect for Him. Fear of God is good; those who fear Him are aware of his power and authority. We read in Proverbs, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” In turn, God sent His Son, so that all could know Him as a ‘friend’ as well as a Father.
God must always be honored and respected; (He is our master and we are His servants); in turn, there is a distance between God and man. In His divine wisdom, He chose to use His only Son to draw near to all people. Jesus Christ is God’s gift to mankind. He is God in a form we need not fear; we need only approach Him in love; we are free to speak to Him; to fellowship with Him; and to be in communion with Him. He is more than our teacher, our master, and our shepherd; he is our brother; he is our closest companion; he is our best friend. Would you like to know God? If you seek closeness with God embrace Jesus Christ and he will comfort you and give you peace; look to the Son of God and you will know his Father. Invite him in to your heart and he will teach you all things; and “you will know the truth; and the truth shall make you free.”
“Lord Heavenly Father we love You, and we thank You for Your son. We desire to draw near to him; may every obstacle be removed, and every barrier destroyed. May he be our brother, our companion, and our friend. May we confide in You Lord; may we look to You for direction, for love, and for comfort. We love You Father; we love You Jesus; we praise You and we thank You; and we ask all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 