John 15:15 “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.”
Earlier in the evening before their last meal together, Jesus had called His disciples slaves. ““If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:14-17). He called them slaves earlier to set the stage for them to receive His new command to live to love with Him. At this point in the evening, He wanted them to know what was about to happen and that He was relating to them, not as slaves, but as His dearly beloved friends. As He spoke and they walked toward the arranged rendezvous with the devil, He was laying down His life for His friends. He wanted them to know what He was doing—sanctifying them, His friends, to Himself—calling them into the place He was going to prepare for them. How do His friends get into this place of union with Jesus? They believe Jesus is God in the flesh, who died to remove all of the sins of His friends, who conquered death for them, has risen to ever live to intercede for them, and to give them His life. All done perfectly, according to the will of His Father, so He can continue loving all His friends through them for His glory. Do you realize what Jesus did for you? Do you believe in Jesus? If so, then you know what He was doing. He was preparing to live to love through us today who are His friends.
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
