John 15:14-15
February 17, 2012 Leave a comment
Good morning friends,
You are my friends if you do what I command you. 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.
Jesus now unpacks what He means when He calls the disciples “friend.” First we must note that Jesus was not putting a condition on His friendship. In essence He is actually saying “you are my friends and you will do what I have commanded.” It is not that Christ’s friendship is hinged on our obedience; it is that as Christ’s friends we will display the influence He has had on us. In Christ calling the disciples “friend,” He is not relinquishing His Lordship, but His role as teacher over them. It is not friendship to become flippant. Christ calls us friends, but be sure of this we must remain reverent and respectful. Several years ago when I went to a L’Abri conference in Rochester had chance to talk with one of my professors from Covenant. When I called him professor Barrs he stopped me and said “call me Jerram.” In this he was saying we are no longer in the teacher pupil relationship, but friends. Professor Barrs had a profound impact on me during my time at CTS and that impact commands respect; I still call him professor Barrs. Jesus showed his friendship to His disciples by confiding in them as the Father confides in Him. A master does not confided in the servants and He tells them He no longer calls them servants. Imagine the thinking of the disciples at this juncture – He, God incarnate, called me friend. He calls you and I friend as well.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day
Bill
Heidelberg Catechism
Q. 32. But why art thou called a Christian? (a)
A. Because I am a member of Christ by faith, (b) and thus am partaker of his anointing; (c) that so I may confess his name, (d) and present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to him: (e) and also that with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life (f) and afterwards I reign with him eternally, over all creatures. (g) (a) Acts 11:26. (b) 1 Cor.6:15. (c) 1 John 2:27; Acts 2:17. (d) Matt.10:32; Rom.10:10; Mark 8:38. (e) Rom.12:1; 1 Pet.2:5,9; Rev.5:8,10; Rev.1:6. (f) 1 Pet.2:11; Rom.6:12,13; Gal.5:16,17; Eph.6:11; 1 Tim.1:18,19. (g) 2 Tim.2:12; Matt.25:34.
