I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15

It was good to be in the house of the Lord on the Lord’s Day. I pray that you had a wonderful worship and gathering with the saints at your church on the Lord’s Day. There is something special and comforting about a friend relationship. It is especially encouraging and strengthening to gather with a dear friend who knows you like no other. The scripture passage speaks to us about the friendship of Christ. Those who had faithfully followed Jesus, who had grown closest to Him, and willing to serve His every request, He now says “I have called you friends.” As friends, He made known to them “all things I have heard of the Father I have made known to you.” He involved them in the kingdom agenda in His earthy ministry and now assured them of His faithfulness while departed. In Jesus’ travels throughout His ministry, quite often people met Him with service and even at times, with worship. Yet, many of those who would serve Him did so out of intelligence, rather than intimacy. The reputation of Jesus proceeded Him throughout the countryside and the region. Some experienced His miracles, received His healing, or even heard His teaching. Many others heard of His greatness and His great works, though they had yet to met Him. At times some became so moved and “were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?” (Mt 12:23). They became inquisitive and inquired of Him, even believed His miracles, but were not willing to see their own need for a Savior (Jn 2:23-25). Dear friend, Jesus came into the world as a Friend to all men, that all might be saved and come to the Father through Him. For those who would draw near to Jesus and would know His friendship, first must need His salvation, and receive Him as Savior. The child of God is a friend of Christ so that “all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” Those who trust Him as Savior, may come to know Him as a faithful Friend (Jn 15:13), “very present Help in trouble” (Ps 46:1), and One for whom “we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). Friendship with Jesus is to all who receive Him as Savior, love Him as Almighty God, serve Him as Lord, and look to Him as soon coming King. My friend, do you know His nearness? Have you received the intimacy of His salvation? Does He call you friend? Father thank You for Your love and Your friendship through Your Son, Jesus. Let His love constrain me to delight in Him, desire Your ways, and live to His glory. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.