If you had the opportunity to sit down and share a meal with God, what would you expect? Power? Majesty? Distance? In John 15, at the very center of Jesus’ final teaching to his disciples, we discover something surprising and deeply personal: Jesus calls his followers friends.
Jesus invites us into more than obedience; he invites us into a real, honest, loyal friendship with him.
1. Jesus Wants a Relationship, Not Just Obedience
- A parent-child relationship includes obedience, but it is not defined only by obedience.
- In the same way, Jesus wants connection, love, trust, and closeness with us.
- Jesus says, “I no longer call you servants… I call you friends.”
2. Jesus Chose Us for Friendship
- Friendship with Jesus means openness, honesty, loyalty, and love.
- This kind of relationship reflects the very heart of God.
- God wants us to be connected to him, not distant from him.
3. Abide in the Connection
- We are called to remain attached to Jesus.
- Abiding in Jesus shapes who we become.
- Through this relationship, we bear fruit and become the people God created us to be.
4. Relationship with God Transforms Our Other Relationships
- Our natural choices in relationships may be based on fun, comfort, or personal benefit.
- God’s desire is to make us the best version of ourselves through relationship with him.
- As God transforms us, others also benefit from that transformation.
5. Communion: Remember the One Who Makes This Possible
- Communion is a time to remember Jesus and connect with him.
- It is also a time to connect with one another as the body of Christ.
- We give thanks for Jesus’ body and blood, and for the relationship with God made possible through his sacrifice.
Conclusion
Jesus calls us into friendship with him. As we abide in that relationship, God is glorified, our lives are transformed, and we become a blessing to others.