MASTER OF FRIENDS

SOLEMN WHISPER DEVOTIONAL Saturday, 23rd May, 2020 MASTER OF FRIENDS (John 15:13-16; James 4:4) MEMORY VERSE: "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." (John 15:15) Someone has defined friendship as “knowing the heart of another and sharing one’s heart with another.” We share our hearts with those we trust, and we trust and confide in our friends, because we have confidence that they will use the information to help us and not harm us. They in turn confide in us for the same reason. I’ve been thinking on the nature of my friendship with Christ ever since I last heard the hymn, “What a friend we have in Jesus.” Happily, I never have to wonder what kind of friend Jesus is to me. I just look to the cross of Calvary and the matter is settled. “Greater love has no one than this,” Jesus said, “that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). If real friendship is a two-way relationship, so, then is being a Christian. It begins with God initiating friendship with sinners, bringing us into relationship with him. Genuine trust in Christ is not a one-time intellectual transaction, but a dynamic ongoing relationship that Jesus calls friendship. For Jesus, his own act of life-giving friendship is not the end of the story. He does not merely talk the language of friendship; he lives out His life and death as a friend and He commands that His followers do the same (John 15:12-14). The commandment to love as Jesus has loved may be the most radical word of the Gospel, because it claims that the love that enabled Jesus to lay down His life for His friends is not unique to Him. This love can be replicated and embodied over and over again by His followers. Finally, to keep Jesus’ commandment is to enact His love in our own lives. Jesus affirms the significance of this commandment by stating that His followers become His friends to the extent that they keep His commandment. PRAYER: Father Lord, we bless you for being an amazing friend, who counted it a worthy sacrifice, to lay down your own life. We receive the grace to reciprocate your friendship, not just to you but to everyone around us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. __________________ Bassey Edoho