John 15: True Friendship with Jesus
Jesus said,
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:12-13).
Does Jesus have favorites? No, with Him there is no partiality (see Acts 10:34)—but Jesus does have intimates.
Jesus, Friend of Sinners
If we could just be called servants of the Lord, that would be an honor. But to think that He wants us as His friends! (See John 15:16.)
Abraham was called the friend of God. (See James 2:23.) All of the disciples knew this. Can you imagine what must have gone through their hearts, then, when Jesus said, “You are My friends”? The honor!
Jesus sought us out. He took the initiative.
Friendship with Jesus’ People
Friendship with Jesus gives us so many other friends. We love the Church because Jesus loves the Church. The love that you have for Jesus and the love they have for Jesus brings you together.
If you have no desire to be with the saints down here, you have little hope of being with the saints up there. When you come to worship in the assembly on Sunday, you are saying two things: God is important, and my brothers and sisters are important.
The Cost of Friendship with Jesus
True friendship costs, but it is worth it.
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).
Friendship with Jesus is not earned by obedience, but it is shown by obedience.
Christian Persecution
When you become a friend of Jesus, you enter into conflict with this world.
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).
Jesus’ friends become our friends. And it is just as true that His enemies become our enemies. (See 2 Timothy 3:12.) When you stand up for Christ, it will cost you. But you will simply be closer to Jesus because you have suffered with Him.
The Reward of Friendship with Jesus
“I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15b).
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to know so much more about the Word of God than others do, or how they are able to pray like they do? They have learned the secret of fellowship with the Lord.
Friendship has its privileges. There are things that the child of God knows that other people do not. (Read Matthew 13:10-11.)
Real friendship with a good person will make you better. (See Proverbs 27:17.) If you want be godly, get godly friends. If you want to be wise, get wise friends. That is the truth on the normal plane. How much more true it is when you become a friend of Jesus Christ!
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (John 15:16).
Jesus is not talking to everybody in general. He is talking to His friends, His intimates. Because these people know the mind and the will of God, they can pray in Jesus’ name. To pray in Jesus’ name means to pray with His authority and approval, and for His glory.
