Friends of God

Meditations for Ragamuffins

October 4, 2023

Friends of God 

“I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.”

John 15:15 (NRSV)

Of all the many people you have contact with each week, who are your friends? In your life, what distinguishes those who you call friends from those who are simply acquaintances, neighbors, or people you may see at church or your workplace?

I am both astounded and comforted by the depth of friendship Jesus offers to his followers. In referring to Judas, Jesus said, “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me” (Luke 22:31 Emphasis mine). Later that same night in the Garden of Gethsemane, when the soldiers came to arrest him, Jesus spoke these words to his betrayer, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for” (Matthew 26:50 Emphasis mine). While I cannot conceive of having the inner strength to call my betrayer, my friend, I can move in that transforming direction by contemplating the qualities of friendship that Jesus expresses to me, and to you, his followers.

Jesus is proud of his followers. He is proud that we haven’t given up; we keep on trying, again and again, to be obedient disciples. I believe Jesus is proud of us when we dare to take our stand for him in the face of a culture that is increasingly hostile to people of faith. Recently a friend shared with me how his pastoral ministry is reaching his community. People are coming to faith in Christ; disciples are being made and nurtured. I rejoiced with my friend and my heart was made glad as I envisioned him joyfully telling the people about his friend Jesus. His friend, Jesus, also rejoiced. Jesus’ heart too was made glad. Friends rejoice with friends. Friends cry with friends. Friends grieve with friends. Friends long to be with their friends.

My Takeaway: Today is a great day for you to spend time contemplating the many qualities of friendship Christ Jesus expresses to you, his treasured friend.  

“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (Romans 5:11).

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.