Jesus Calls You Friend

John 15:9–17

There are plenty of titles we could use for Jesus. Savior. Lord. King. Messiah. Son of God. Creator. All of them are true. But sitting with His disciples during His final hours before the cross, Jesus gave them another one that feels almost unbelievable: Friend.

Jesus told them, “I no longer call you slaves… but I have called you friends.” Think about who was saying that. The One who created everything was looking at ordinary, imperfect people and telling them that He wanted a relationship with them. These weren’t men who had everything figured out. They misunderstood Him, questioned Him, argued among themselves and would soon run away when He was arrested. Yet Jesus called them His friends.

And then He showed them what that friendship looked like: “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.” Within hours, Jesus would do exactly that. The cross wasn’t simply something that happened to Jesus. He willingly gave His life because of His incredible love for us.

Sometimes we can make our relationship with Jesus feel so formal that we forget how personal He intended it to be. Yes, He is our Lord and King, but He also invites us to walk with Him, talk with Him, trust Him and share our lives with Him. The Savior of the world doesn’t merely tolerate you. He loves you, chose you, and calls you friend.

Today’s thought: Do I only know Jesus as someone I worship—or am I learning what it means to walk through everyday life with Him as my friend?

Circle up!

Shannon Formby, Founder of My Faith Journey

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