I Am Jesus’ Friend

INTRODUCTION: Throughout the next two weeks, Time With God will be exploring who we are in Christ. Our prayer is that you will grow in confidence and hope as we unpack biblical truth about who God has made us to be. Please note that there will be no Digging Deeper section

GETTING STARTED

On the last night before his unjust crucifixion, Jesus gathered his disciples in an upper room where he shared with them all that was about to happen. During this most intimate conversation with his disciples, Jesus called them his friends. Jesus explained that up to that point he had called them his servants, but no longer. He now called each of them friend. Their identities had become clearer. They were still servants who were to follow and obey their master, but even more so, their identities were now as intimate friends who shared with him as full partners in his work.

  • What makes someone a friend of Jesus? Do you define yourself as his friend?

READ THE WORD: JOHN 15:15 (ESV)

15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

RESPOND TO GOD

As someone who has grown up in the church, I have heard a bazillion times that God loves me or that Jesus loves me. I have heard it so many times that my heart is often unaffected by hearing again this absolutely amazing truth. Not only do I need to be reminded that Jesus loves me, but I desperately need to know, understand, and experience the kind of love that Jesus has for me. John 15:15 reminds me that Jesus wants me, that he delights in me, that he is crazy in love with me, that he rejoices over me with gladness, and that as an intimate friend, I am a full partner in his work. I am an intimate friend of the King of the Universe. That is who I am—that is my identity; therefore, that is how I will live!

  • Today, spend some time sharing what’s on your heart with your most intimate friend, Jesus.