“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
Jesus told his disciples that even though he was God’s Son and thus their Lord and Master, he saw them as his friends and not as servants. A master expects his servants to obey him and do the work they are told to do. Obedience is what counts.
I have a sense that Jesus, however, wants us to obey him out of love and gratitude for all he has done for us. He is not looking for servant obedience, but for hearts that are open to him, that are willing to be transformed.
Jesus related with his followers as friends. He chose to confide in them and shared with them all that his Father had asked him to say and do on earth. He knew them well and chose to trust and love each one. They were safe with him, they learned to share their thoughts and feelings with each other, their disagreements and the importance of learning to forgive each other.
Let's Pray...
Father, show us areas in our St John’s community where you want us to grow in confidence as your friends … so we can learn to love and be friends that can be trusted.
What prompts you to obey God more … servant thinking or knowing that you are His child?
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