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John 15:15 - Friends of Jesus.

John 15:15 (NIV) I no longer call you 
servants, because a servant does not know his master's 
business. Instead, I have called you friends, for 
everything that I learned from my Father I have made 
known to you.  

INTRODUCTION

Because Jesus Christ is Lord and Master, he 
should call us servants; instead, he calls us 
friends. How comforting and reassuring to be chosen 
as Christ's friends! Because he is Lord and 
Master, we owe him our unqualified obedience, but 
most of all, Jesus asks us to obey him because we 
love him. [Life Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   The original Greek word for friend in 
this verse does not mean a casual acquaintance 
but a close, trusted relationship. The same word 
is used to refer to the best man at a wedding 
(John 3:29) and a kings inner circle of 
intimate, trusted friends. In royal courts, servants 
must keep their distance from the king, but the 
inner circle of trusted friends enjoy close 
contact, direct access, and confidential 
information. 
   That God would want me for a close friend 
is hard to understand. But the Bible says, 
He is a God who is passionate about his 
relationship with you (Exodus 34:14 NLT). 
   God deeply desires that we know him 
intimately. In fact, he planned the universe and 
orchestrated history, including the details of our lives, 
so that we could become his friends. The Bible 
says, He made the entire human race and made 
the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and 
space for living so we could seek after God, and 
not just grope around in the dark but actually 
find him (Acts 17:26-27 The Message). 
   Knowing and loving God is our greatest 
privilege, and being known and loved is Gods 
greatest pleasure. God says, If any want to boast, 
they should boast that they know and understand 
me  These are the things that please me 
(Jeremiah 9:24 GNT). 
   Its difficult to imagine how an 
intimate friendship is possible between an 
omnipotent, invisible, perfect God and a finite, sinful 
human being. Its easier to understand a 
Master-servant relationship or a Creator-creation 
relationship or even Father-child. Yet God wants us as 
his friends, and thats an incredible honor. 
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: 
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

COMMENTARY

   God wants more than servants. Its true 
He is worthy of our unequivocal service; we owe 
Him our entire lives. But He didn't create human 
beings in His image simply so we could carry out 
orders. Angels and any number of unknown creatures 
could do that (Psalm 103:20-21). No, He wants a 
relationship founded in love and reciprocated by hearts 
like His. We may serve Him, but we aren't simply 
servants. Jesus calls us friends. 
   That's one of the many features that 
makes the Kingdom of God an extraordinary 
environment. All Kingdom citizens are friends with the 
King. It isn't an equal friendship, of course, but 
there are times in Scripture when God treats it as 
though it is. He gave Abraham the right to 
negotiate with Him and called him friend," wrestled 
with Jacob, spoke face to face with Moses as with 
a friend, and let David speak to Him in 
intimate terms and even argue with Him at times. The 
Potter and the clay, the Shepherd and the sheep, 
the Master and the servant  these are true 
illustrations of our relationship with God, but they 
aren't sufficient. By themselves, they are too 
impersonal. Clearly God wants the kind of relationship 
where hearts connect and converse and exchange 
ideas and desires and dreams. 
   Don't squander that relationship. We all 
need to learn to serve well, but God doesn't 
leave you strictly in the role of servant. He is 
calling you higher. Its entirely possible that 
when you are most focused on obedience, He is 
trying to draw you into a deeper conversation on 
more intimate terms. Express your heart to Him 
and listen to His. Ask Him what His deepest 
desires are - for your life and for those around 
you. Like John at the Last Supper, lean against 
Jesus and listen to His whispers. He shares 
confidential information with those who have learned to 
love Him well. In so doing, you begin to fulfill 
your original design as one made in His image. 
You step into the relationship you were designed 
for. [The One Year Heaven On Earth Devotional by 
Chris Tiegreen] 

ILLUSTRATION

   Years ago, when I was first hospitalized 
after my diving accident, I dreaded the long, 
lonely nighttime hours when friends weren't allowed 
to visit my ward. So I comforted myself by 
imagining a personal visit from another Friend - the 
Lord Jesus. I was inspired to do that after 
reading today's Scripture verse, where Jesus 
specifically names His disciples as friends. 
   I pictured Him coming through the doors 
of my hospital ward, walking over to my 
bedside, and saying, "Hey, friend. What did you learn 
in physical therapy today? Was it nice to see 
your sister at dinnertime? Anything you'd like to 
talk about or get off your chest? Tell me all 
about it, Joni." Talking with Jesus like that 
strengthened my confidence in Him. He became my Friend 
who saw me through months of dark, suicidal 
depression. If you find yourself alone with no friends 
around, remember Jesus is your comforting friend. He 
will support you. 
   Dear Jesus, even though I can't see You, 
I know beyond any doubt that You are with me. 
Your companionship calms my anxious heart, stills 
my racing thoughts, and lifts the dread and 
worry from my shoulders. Thank You for being 
there, ready to talk about things great or small - 
or to just hold my hand - at two in the 
morning. [A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada 
and Larry Libby] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

   I am your best friend, as well as your 
King. Walk hand in hand with Me through your life. 
Together we will face whatever each day brings: 
pleasures, hardships, adventures, disappointments. 
Nothing is wasted when it is shared with Me. I can 
bring beauty out of the ashes of lost dreams. I 
can glean Joy out of sorrow, Peace out of 
adversity. Only a Friend who is also the King of kings 
could accomplish this divine alchemy. There is no 
other like Me!  
   The friendship I offer you is practical 
and down-to-earth, yet it is saturated with 
heavenly Glory. Living in My Presence means living in 
two realms simultaneously: the visible world and 
unseen, eternal reality. I have equipped you to stay 
conscious of Me while walking along dusty, earthbound 
paths. (John 15:13-15; Isaiah 61:3; 2 Corinthians 
6:10) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

Relax in My peaceful presence. Do not bring 
performance pressures into our sacred space of 
communion. When you are with someone you trust 
completely, you feel free to be yourself. This is one of 
the joys of true friendship. Though I am Lord of 
lords and King of kings. I also desire to be your 
intimate Friend. When you are tense or pretentious in 
our relationship, I feel hurt. I know the worst 
about you, but I also see the best in you. I long 
for you to trust Me enough to be fully yourself 
with Me. When you are real with Me. I am able to 
bring out the best in you: the very gifts I have 
planted in your soul. Relax, and enjoy our 
friendship. (Rev. 17:14; John 15:13-15) [Jesus Calling 
by Sarah Young] 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON 28 REVELATIONS OF 
JESUS 

1st of 28: Divine Dining: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY 
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ 
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4 
4th of 28: Cared For: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXyJVdcCds 
5th of 28: Saved: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX45kGRe1HI 
6th of 28: You Can Change: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0gkvK18fo 
7th of 28: Reprogramming Our Brains: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov36f_RapXc 
8th of 28 Our Holy Father: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XabXLEXsxbY 
9th of 28 Gifts of Service: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtuGZviodkA 
10th of 28 The Holy Spirit: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in89XVs4cGo 
11th of 28 The Law of God: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Q601HjogI 
12th of 28 The Sabbath: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sakgnKoTzZI 
13th of 28 The Church: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkFw2XsTW-w 
14th of 28 The Gift of Prophecy: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiO2VC09NPI 
15th of 28 Stewardship: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z_lNLAataw 
16th of 28 Marriage and the Family: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EybxvMQ0K7E 
17th of 28 The Remnant and Its Mission: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK6tix2K2qA 
18th of 28 Christian Behavior: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecVGsQfAo7Q 
Live ongoing series in progress.