Scripture: “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
Examination of Chapter: In this chapter, Jesus knows the cross is imminently before Him. He tells His disciples to stay connected to Him as that is the only way they will effectively serve God. He tells them that He has shared with them all that the Father desired, and that He loves them now as cherished friends. Their love for God is to be demonstrated by their obedience to His commands, which include loving one another as He has loved them. He goes on to explain that the word will hate and persecute them, but they have been chosen by God for a purpose. Lastly, Jesus is hinting at what is to come, promising the disciples that the Holy Spirit will come to them, empowering them to do the work of their heavenly Father.
Application: Today I visited a very dear friend who lives quite a distance from me. With approximately 1200 miles between us, it is not often that we get to see one another in the flesh. We keep in contact through social media, phone calls, and text messages, but nothing is the same as getting a personal hug from her! We spent hours just chatting, laughing, and catching one another up on the happenings in our lives.
The sweetest conversations we had were about what the Lord had done in our lives. Sharing that was probably the most precious of all moments in my visit. After a dinner shared with our husbands, it was time to say goodbye. It was a sad moment, so we did our best to make it light, hugged a couple more times, then said our final goodbyes and went our separate ways.
This reminded me of my relationship with Jesus. It is a long-distance one as well, at least in regard to being in the physical presence of one another. Currently, Jesus speaks to me through the written Word of God. In its pages, I read what He wants to tell me about Himself, how I can be closer to Him, and how He has worked in the lives of others. He also gives me clear directions for my life and the remedy for every problem I face. He offers comforting and encouraging words for me in the many verses of the Scriptures.
My communication to Him is through prayer. Sometimes my prayers are full of thanksgiving for all the joys and blessings I have experienced in my life. Additionally, when I am struggling with things or face challenges that seem too hard to endure, my prayers become petitions for His help. Other times, my prayers are intercessory. I pray for others who need God’s intervention in their lives.
Sometimes my prayers are simply those of adoration and worship, and those are the sweetest conversations I have with Him. Since my prayers are usually more vocal than written, I sometimes sing to Him. It is a time when I feel especially close to Him. And while the Bible assures me that He is with me always spiritually-speaking, I have to take that by faith because I cannot see Him.
2 Corinthians 5:7 states that in the present, “… we walk by faith, not by sight”. But one day, the Scriptures tell me that my faith will truly become sight. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2). That will be the indescribable moment when I will see Jesus face-to-face! Maybe I’ll run to Him, and He’ll hug me for the longest time. Maybe I’ll fall down on my face and worship Him with the angels. Regardless of what I do, the reality of being in the actual presence of Jesus will be the sweetest, most glorious moment of our relationship.
At the moment I see Jesus face-to-face, I am promised that I will be with Him forever. Unlike visiting my friend here on earth, there will be no goodbyes or “see you laters” once in heaven. This is the one and only relationship in which that first visit will be my last, for the moment I am present with Him, my eternity future begins!
Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, what a precious friend I have in Jesus. Your Word states that there is no greater love for another than to sacrifice one’s life for them. That is exactly what my Saviour did for me when I was still an enemy to Him… still a wretched sinner. Yet He died in my place to give me salvation in His name. I am so blessed to have Your Son as my friend. He truly is my BFF… In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.