He Calls Me Friend.

*“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 (NIV)*

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, but His words echo through time to every believer. The concept of friendship with Jesus is profound because it shifts our relationship with Him from one of mere duty to one of deep connection. As friends, we’re not just following a set of rules or commands; we’re invited to understand the heart and mind of Christ.

**Understanding Friendship with Jesus:**

1. **Access to His Heart:**

Jesus shares everything He has learned from the Father with us. This means that through His Word and the Holy Spirit, we have access to the very thoughts and intentions of God. We are not left in the dark, merely guessing at what God wants from us. Instead, we are brought into a relationship where we can know and understand His will for our lives.

2. **Invitation to Intimacy:**

Friendship implies closeness. Jesus is not a distant figure, unreachable and uninterested in the details of our lives. He is near, involved, and desires to walk with us daily. This intimacy is cultivated through prayer, reading Scripture, and spending time in His presence.

3. **A Shift in Identity:**

Being called a friend of Jesus changes how we see ourselves. No longer do we have to live under the burden of trying to earn His favor. As friends, we already have His favor, and our obedience flows from love rather than fear. We obey not because we must, but because we trust and love Him.

Letting go of legalism has been incredibly freeing for me. I used to feel like I had to follow every rule perfectly to be accepted by God, always falling short. But Jesus invites me into a friendship, not a performance. Now, instead of striving to earn His love, I rest in His grace, knowing I’m already accepted. Embracing this friendship has brought me joy, peace, and a deeper connection with Him than I ever found in legalism.

Do you see yourself as a friend of Jesus, or do you feel more like a servant, merely going through the motions of faith? Take time today to meditate on this verse. Allow the truth of your friendship with Christ to sink in. He has chosen you, called you, and desires a deep, personal relationship with you.