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. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:15-17 (NIV)
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us as a Brother and a Friend. A walking demonstration of what man was created to be before sin entered the scene. There was never a moment in Jesus’ life that was sans divine significance – all His actions, all His words, all His thoughts sprang from divine origin. He always did everything to please the Father. He selflessly and perfectly walked in a manner worthy of the Gospel that He profusely proclaimed by Word and deed. And what a Friend He was. He gave us the pattern for Godly friendship being intentional, selfless and sacrificial. And His command to us is to love as He loved – through His power and for His glory and our good (and the good of others in our spheres, BTW).
Jesus has chosen believers in Him to produce fruit – lasting fruit – in keeping with repentance and we do this by loving God and loving others. And thinking not so highly of ourselves and all our many whims and wishes! He strengthens us and equips us to pour out our lives like a drink offering to encourage and strengthen others in their faith. We need each other. We are not to be islands. Jesus was the friend we all want to have. And Jesus was also to be the friend we should all want to be. Willing to be interrupted, willing to be an encourager, willing to lend a helping hand, willing to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. What a friend we have in Jesus! May His followers do likewise.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)