Friendship with Jesus

If Jesus worshiped with your congregation, would you two be close? Jesus sought friendship with His disciples. He didn’t simply seek to be acknowledged as their King, but also to draw them close into fellowship and friendship.

This relationship is described for us in John 15:12-15: “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

Jesus describes friendship between Himself and His people. He loves them. He gives His life for them. He shares with them what He is doing and why. In return, He simply wants them to trust Him and follow the commands that He gives them. This is friendship with Jesus.

In addition, by looking back to John 13:14-15, we learn that He expects His friends to follow His example. After Jesus washed their feet, He said, “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”

As we embark upon a weekend of Bible study, our focus is simple: building a stronger relationship with Jesus. We do this by seeing how much He loves us, how much has gives for us, and how much He shares with us from the Father. But we also must consider if we are honoring Him by following His plan for our lives, and more specifically, following in His example of faith and godliness.

Let’s study His heart, His character, His daily routine, His sacrifice, His leadership, and His integrity! And let’s be thankful for such a wonderful Friend, and honor Him by following His example every day.