“I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.” John 15:15–17
Embracing Friendship: Reflecting on John 15:15–17
Reflection:
From Slavery to Friendship:
Jesus elevates the disciples' status from mere servants to beloved friends. In this transformation, He highlights the intimacy and trust that define their relationship, far surpassing the transactional nature of servitude.The Gift of Divine Election:
Jesus emphasizes that the disciples did not choose Him, but rather He chose them. This divine election underscores the sovereignty of God's grace in initiating and sustaining the disciples' journey of faith.Commissioned for Fruitful Service:
Jesus appoints the disciples to bear lasting fruit, signalling their mission to spread the Gospel and build the Kingdom of God. Their fruitfulness is rooted in their intimate union with Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.Prayerful Intercession in Jesus's Name:
Jesus assures the disciples that their requests made in His name will be granted by the Father. This privilege underscores the significance of prayer as a means of communion with God and a channel for His blessings.The Commandment of Love: Jesus concludes His discourse by commanding the disciples to love one another. This commandment encapsulates the essence of discipleship and reflects the selfless love moulded by Christ Himself.
Prayer:
Gracious God, we thank You for calling us into friendship with Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to embrace the intimacy and trust that define our relationship with Him and with one another. May we bear lasting fruit in service to Your Kingdom and approach You with confidence in prayer, trusting in Your abundant grace and love. Empower us to fulfil the commandment to love one another, following the example of Christ. Amen.
