Friendship With Jesusનમૂનો

Jesus Calls Us Into His Mission to Help Others Experience His Friendship

On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus told his followers they were no longer mere students or servants, but true friends. A student or disciple (“talmid” in Hebrew, “mathētēs” in Greek) was like a servant who did everything his rabbi/teacher instructed without always understanding the teacher’s intentions. After three years of following Jesus, he elevated his students’ status to full intimacy, familiarity and trust. Jesus called them friends. This is true today for all who choose to follow him.

“You are my friends” (John 15:14a, NIV).

Jesus’ relationship with his first followers and with us today is not a social club or even a gathering to study Scripture. It is anchored in the coming of the kingdom of God, as more and more people become his friends. In this relationship, there is an expectation we will do what he says. This is not a friendship for passing time. Instead, this is a friendship for purpose-filled living: being “on mission” with Jesus.

“You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:14, NIV).

He has made us full partners in his eternal plan. The three-in-one God has been at work since the foundation of the world seeking friendship with all who will follow him. He called a people, the Israelites, to be the vessel of the plan. The story from Genesis to Malachi pulses with God’s heart to have a faithful partner. Yet the people got distracted, wandered and downright disobeyed. When Jesus came to demonstrate what that partnership could look like, it was based on his faithful friendship with the Father.

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” (John 15:10, ESV).

As Jesus related to the Father, we too can now relate to him through Jesus. Friendship with Jesus grants us direct access to the Father. We can confidently ask him for whatever is needed to fulfill his plan (John 15:14-16). Each of us is to be a full partner. We are no longer led by cloud or fire like the children of Israel, but by the good shepherd Jesus, empowered by his Spirit.

His kingdom is all about relationships: loving God and our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). He longs for everyone to experience his friendship (John 3:16-17). The best way to love our neighbor is to share Jesus. The best way to share Jesus is to be like him. We are to reflect Jesus to everyone we encounter.

This is what it means to be “on mission” with Jesus: to help others live their best possible life by following him. This is the essence of his final teaching when he said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19, ESV). He is telling us to invest our lives in the lives of others, so they become like Jesus.

So, not only is Jesus speaking to us, he is in front of us leading, and he is in us by his Spirit. He invites us to converse with him and trust him with everything in our lives. He calls us to follow him as soon as he speaks. He calls us into his mission as friends in order to help others experience his friendship.

Pattern

As Jesus’ friend, imagine every encounter you have today as an opportunity to let Jesus love through you. Whether it is a smile and kind word at the checkout counter, tending to your spouse’s frustration, or praying for someone’s pain, allow Jesus to love through you.

Overcoming the objection

Should I really imagine Jesus living in me? Yes! The Apostle Paul made it clear we are to live an “exchanged” life when he said, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20, LSB).

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for calling me your friend. Thank you for choosing me. Today I want to live “on mission” with you and go where you lead and do what you’ve told me to do. I invite you to live through me in every encounter I have. I pray for ... (mention the name or names of people he brings to mind). I ask you to touch them with your love and truth.