What a friend

Hello Bride of Christ,

Has a line from a movie or a written text ever take you by surprise? You simply cannot accept what you saw or read based on your first interpretation. It seems too good to be true. It is just majestic or even brilliant. Well, I must admit, Jesus, often leaves me surprised.

I remember being in my college dorm room when I stumbled upon this verse from the gospel of John “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13) These words fell heavy on me.

Jesus describing the need to abide and dwell closely with Him, comparing Himself to a vine and us to branches, went on to propose to us. Propose this idea of us being His friend. Jesus offers the notion that if we abide in Him, which means living in His love through keeping His commandment, we will bear fruit and our joy will be full (John 15:9 – 11). What is the commandment?

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Love. No ordinary love. Rather a sacrificial love. For Jesus goes on to say “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends…” (John 15:13-14). See why I paused?

Bride of Christ, this commandment Jesus is asking us to keep He has already fulfilled. There is nothing to do but abide. Dwell. Dwell in Him. Dwell and complete Jesus words, “You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer do call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called your friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:14 -15) As His friend, that He willingly laid His life down for, we are free to produce from the place of being loved and choosing to love. May these words and friendship never grow dull to our senses for it is true the beautiful poem Pastor Scriven wrote many years ago, “What a friend we have in Jesus.” No other friend will ever measure up, so pause and take it in and get to know this greater love.