I am a FRIEND of CHRIST

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"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another."

~John 15:12-17~ 

 The words "I am a friend of Jesus" might conjure up a few different melodies in your mind.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

I am a Friend of God

Jesus Friend of Sinners

And sometimes we leave it at that.  We don't truly let these words sink in and feel the weight of what they mean.  And sometimes we want nothing to do with Jesus as our friend.

We might associate our past experiences with imperfect people and assume the same about our completely perfect Jesus.  And although we know He is good, everything passes through our filter of what we have already experienced.  And it can affect our relationship with Jesus.

If we have been hurt by a friend - then we wonder if Jesus will hurt us.

If we have been betrayed by a friend - then we wonder if Jesus will betray us.

If we have been abandoned by a friend - then we wonder if Jesus will leave us.

If we have been neglected by a friend - then we wonder if Jesus will neglect us.

If we have been abused by a friend - then we wonder if Jesus will abuse us.

At the beginning of John 15, Jesus was speaking to his disciples.  He told them that He was the vine, that they were the branches, and His Father was the gardener. And the branches must abide in the vine, just as His disciples must abide in Him, in order to produce fruit in His Kingdom.  In verse 9 He tells His disciples to, "Abide in my love."

And then He hits His Twelve Chosen Ones that they are no longer His servants, but His Friends.

Not only are they His friends, but He goes on to tell them that they did not choose Him, but that He chose them.

He chose twelve men that were fishermen, tax collectors, zealots - sinners.

He chose men who would betray Him, abandon Him, and deny Him.

He chose men He would call Friends - men He would lay His life down for.

And He loved them more than He loved Himself.

So here's the deal.

We are every bit as imperfect as those that have hurt, betrayed, abandoned, neglected, and abused us.

And Jesus knows that.  Yet He is still willing to choose us as His friends.  He still chose death on the cross so that we could have eternal life with Him.

If you are hurting today by the actions or words of another, I hope you understand that you are a friend of Jesus who loves you so deeply that He wants you to come to Him and abide in Him.  He is not like your imperfect friend.  He is the perfect friend who will never hurt, betray, abandon, neglect, or abuse you.  Instead He will heal, redeem, and restore you.

Yes.  By becoming vulnerable in friendships, we open ourselves up to hurt and pain.  And Jesus knows exactly how this feels because His friends hurt Him as well.  And we have hurt Him too - because we are flawed.  But Jesus calls us His friends because He loves us and He chose us.

We are His beloved.

When I am doubting that I am really His friend, these words are what I sing over and over and over.

Your Beloved - Vineyard - Brent Helming

Lord, who am I, compared to Your glory?
Oh, Lord, Lord, who am I, compared to Your majesty?
I am Your beloved, Your creation
And You love me as I am
You have called me chosen
For Your kingdom
Unashamed to call me Your own
I am Your beloved