What does it mean to be Jesus’ friend? Is every believer a friend to Jesus? Is Jesus’ idea of friendship the same as the modern one?
The answers to these questions might surprise you. They might even shock you.
We find the answers in something Jesus said to the eleven apostles (Judas had left at this point):
“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” (John 15:14-15).
In this passage, we learn five important truths about friendship with Jesus.
First, friendship with Jesus is conditional. “You are My friends if…” Friendship is not automatic. It doesn’t come as a free gift. You need to do something to be Jesus’ friend.
Second, friendship with Jesus depends on obeying His commands. Friendship is earned. You have to do what Jesus says to be His friend. Do you usually think of your friends as people who obey whatever you command? Probably not! That should give you a clue that Jesus is not talking about the modern concept of friendship.
Third, friendship with Jesus still means He is our Master. “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing.” Unlike slaves, we know what our Master is doing. In other words, He is still our Master. Friendship does not change that. We are not “pals” with Jesus. It is a hierarchical relationship.
Fourth, friendship with Jesus means having intimate knowledge of His plans. Jesus tells His friends what the Father has told Him: “for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” The difference between being a slave and being a friend comes down to a difference in knowledge. Jesus’ friends know His mind.
Fifth, this friendship is mission-oriented. Being friends with Jesus is not about spending leisure time with Him. It’s about being in a position to carry out Jesus’ plans with the benefit of inside information. It means achieving greater intimacy with Him through service to Him. This friendship is costly.
We know that whoever believes in Jesus’ name becomes an adopted child of God (John 1:12). But I’ve heard it said that one loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives. What are you to Jesus—a mere relative, or more than that, a loyal friend?
Ken Tamashiro
May I share my opinion here,…
I’m a bit troubled by your concept of Friend. I believe someone can hang out with Jesus and would not place a condition on this Friendship.
In this particular situation Jesus is talking about something different in nature. He is going to the Cross and this is the last lesson with them. They all are now educated by the Master and the experiential class will conclude. He is now speaking to them as future Ministers of the Gospel, and is Ministry related.
The dynamics of accomplishing Jesus’ ministry is of Great Importance to Him. He talks about abiding in Him further in his conversation with them because of the nature of this vocation.
Because they will be Pastors who will go out on their own without considering what direction Jesus wants to them to go. Many a Pastor that have not listened or followed his direction, all of what they accomplished was of no value to the Lord and their Ministries works were gathered up like sticks and was only good for firewood.
So to conclude you can always have a friend In Jesus, but that Pastors work must accomplish Gods vision and is a calling and a vocation that Jesus has given him.
Jim Poulos
The word ‘fellowship’ (in Gk. Koinonia) has to do with being in business together. Pursuing the same goals of a business.
When the Sanhedrin threaten Pilate, “if you don’t crucify this man you are no ‘friend’ of Cesar, they basically told Pilate, “you are in a different business than Cesar is”. That was too unnerving for Pilate and as much as he didn’t want to crucify Jesus that threat turned page for him.
When Jesus began calling the disciples ‘friends’ He recognized they understood the business He and the Father were in. They now were dedicated to the same business as Jesus and the Father. Thus they were all in fellowship (i.e.,koinonia) together.
A thought.