Experiencing Divine Friendship

   We are in the Lenten Season -- & Easter is fast approaching.  This is a great time of the year to reflect upon the events of the final week in the life of Christ -- including His crucifixion & resurrection.

   On the evening before Jesus was crucified -- He gathered His disciples in an upper room -- where together they partook of the Passover meal.

   We find recorded in the closing chapters of John’s Gospel some of the most intimate teachings of Jesus to His disciples during that meal.

   John chapter 13:1 states -- “It was just before the Passover Feast.  Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world & go to the Father.  Having loved His own who were in the world,  He now showed them the full extent of His love”  (NIV). 

   John 13 -- 14 -- 15 -- & 16 -- are well worth reading at any time -- but especially during this Lenten Season.   It is climaxed with Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer recorded in John 17.

   I wish we had the capability of reflecting upon this entire portion of John’s recorded words of Jesus on the evening before His crucifixion.    It is all so very rich & full of meaning; -- may I challenge you to read through John 13 to the end of 17 -- sometime during this month leading up to Easter.

   But for this morning -- allow me to lift out a passage from John 15 -- beginning with verse 12 -- & continuing through verse 17. -- John 15:12-17.

My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.

Greater love has no one than this,  that one lay down his life for his friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command.

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 to go & 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.

   Jesus spelled it out to them very clearly: -- “My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you”  (15:12). -- Love each other?

   On hearing that command -- did compulsive Peter look at cautious Thomas & silently exclaim -- You mean,  love him, Lord?

  Did sensitive John look at his zealous brother, James -- with flashbacks to years of sibling rivalry & protest in his heart -- I’ve been trying to love him for years -- but the best I can do is tolerate him.

   The story is told of a runner after the battle of Marathon in Greece years ago -- who was sent to tell one of the commanding generals which side had won the battle.

   After covering miles of rugged terrain,  the runner -- sweaty,  dirty,  breathless -- was ushered into the general’s presence.  The general & all his aides were hushed to hear what vital words the runner had to give.   To their utter dismay -- the runner blurted out -- “I forgot the message!”

   Lest you & I forget our Lord’s message -- He repeats it twice in this passage! -- “Love each other” -- (you see it in verses 12 & 17).   That is a command -- not an option!

   What Christian are you tolerating -- instead of loving? -- Why?

   Is it because he or she grates on your nerves?

   Sometimes God puts us with someone whom He uses to grate us.

   For example -- perhaps you are very generous with your money -- & you are married to someone who is so careful -- he/she is almost stingy.

    Or perhaps you are very quiet -- & God has put you on a committee with someone who talks nonstop.

   Or worse -- perhaps you are a nonstop talker -- & you are on a committee with another nonstop talker!

   Instead of avoiding those with whom we are incompatible -- or just tolerating them -- Jesus commands you & me to love them!   And as we obey His command -- He will use that person to grind off our sharp,  impatient,  un-Christlike edges.   As we yield to the full control of His Spirit -- our character increasingly bears much fruit for His glory -- as we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

   But the greater picture in this passage -- is the picture of Jesus’ love for you & for me!

   Jesus states it so clearly -- “Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this,  that one lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.”

   George Beverly Shea sums it up beautifully in the words --

There’s the wonder of sunset at evening,

The wonder as sunrise I see;

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul

Is the wonder that God loves me.

Oh the wonder of it all,  the wonder of it all --

Just to think that God loves me!

   Jesus says to each one of us who are here today -- “You are my friend.”

   Webster’s dictionary defines “friend” as “a favored companion.”  But the real meaning of friendship is to be learned not from dictionaries -- but from Him Who gave His life for us.

   This morning I want to talk about this man Jesus -- Who offers us Divine Friendship!

   I believe these verses reveal some ways in which His friendship toward you & me can be readily seen.

   Let’s take a good look at these verses -- so that we can know that Jesus is in fact our Friend. -- Experience His Divine Friendship!

1. First --  Jesus’ Friendship is Seen in His Sacrifice!

   Our Lord’s love for you & me is totally sacrificial in nature.  Lest there be any confusion as to His meaning -- Jesus defined it: -- “Greater love has no one than this,  that one lay down his life for his friends” (15:13).

   In other words -- because of His great love for you & for me -- He has valued our well-being -- & our needs -- to be of greater concern to Himself than His own -- to such an extent that He died for us -- irrespective of our condition or response.

   Our concept of demonstrating love seems so much smaller that what Jesus defined for His followers. 

   We love others -- who meet our needs -- whom we get along with -- who makes us feel good -- who do things for us -- who gives things we want -- who respond with love -- whom we like.

   In essence -- our first concern is for our own well-being -- & having our own needs met -- & we love others in proportion to the extent they fulfill those purposes.

   But Jesus was outlining a radically different kind of love; -- a love that put the needs & well-being of others before our own.

   When Jesus laid down His life on the Cross for you & for me -- it was a voluntary act of love!  -- He voluntarily gave up His life on the cross.   No one “murdered Jesus” -- or took away His life against His will.   Jesus tells us that His life was being given up “for his friends.”

   In other words -- His death was not for Himself -- but it was for us -- in behalf of us.

   The phrase “lay down his life” does not nearly convey the depth of suffering Jesus endured when He gave up His life for us.

   It is only by looking at several verses throughout the Bible that the picture begins to become clear.

   Jesus paid a terribly high price when He died for us!

   He was betrayed by Judas & deserted by the disciples.

   He was beaten by the Temple guards.

   He was rejected by the very people He came to save.

   He was scourged & mocked by the soldiers -- & crowned with thorns.

   His beard was plucked from His face -- & He was stripped naked.

   He was crucified; -- nailed to a cross & hung up to die.

   When His death is considered from this viewpoint -- it takes on renewed significance! -- He did all of this for you!

   There are those who look at the death of Jesus on the Cross -- & cry “What a tragedy!” -- Yet, His death was not tragic!

   His death ranks as one of the most glorious days in the history of this world!

   When Jesus was nearing the end of His time on the Cross -- He uttered a cry that proclaimed His death as a time of great victory.   He said: -- “It is finished!” (John 19:30). 

   He knew that in His death He had satisfied the righteous demands of God concerning the atonement for sin!     The fact that God was forever satisfied was proven three days later when Jesus was resurrected from the dead.

   Now,  sin could not only be forgiven -- but we can enjoy His friendship now & through all eternity.

   Jesus said: -- “Love each other as I have loved you.”

   Is there someone in your life who has been rude -- critical -- hostile -- abrasive -- belligerent -- unkind -- selfish -- condescending?  That may be the very person that Jesus wants you to love sacrificially!

   When we choose to obey what Jesus is saying -- we plunge into a deeper,  more intimate relationship with Him!   Our sacrificial love for that person becomes an act of worship to Jesus!

2. Secondly -- Jesus’ Friendship is Seen in His Sharing!

   What we share is an on-going,  never ending,  ever meaningful & growing friendship with He Who is King of kings,  & Lord of lords.

   If Jesus’ disciples then were like His disciples now -- I suspect they flinched in the face of such a challenge of sacrificial love.   So -- to soften His command without backing down even a little -- Jesus encouraged them to love others sacrificially -- for what they would get out of it.

   What they would get out of it -- & what we get out of it -- is a very special relationship with Jesus!

   Jesus said in verse 14 -- “You are my friends if you do what I command” -- that is the command to “love each other.”

   What -- what could be a greater privilege than to have Jesus call us His friend?

   If I told you that the president of the United States was my friend -- you would probably snicker. -- And rightly so.   But if the president of the United States said: -- “Lyle Pettit is my friend” -- now that would be impressive -- I think.   It would indicate a relationship based on personal knowledge of one another -- a sharing kind of relationship.

   Jesus did more than say you & I could call Him our friend.

   He promises He will call us His friends. -- Now that is impressive!   That is a privileged position!

   Do you struggle with an inferiority complex?   Then hold your head a little higher -- because when you choose to abide in Christ -- & obey His command to love others sacrificially -- the Son of God -- the Savior of the world -- the sovereign Lord -- the sweet Rose of Sharon -- the Lord of glory -- the most important Man in all the universe -- counts you as His personal friend!

   As our Friend -- Jesus shares some special gifts with us.

   He shares His love! -- This is a truth that permeates the pages of the Bible from cover to cover.

   His love is said to be everlasting; -- His love is something from which we can never be separated (cf. Rom. 8:38-39). 

   He shares His life! -- Every life He touches changes!   He takes us with all our sins & fleshly desires -- saves us by His grace -- & gives us a heart to live for Him.

   I am making it my goal to experience friendship with God!

   If Abraham & Moses & King David could know God in a personal relationship -- to the point that they were called “a friend of God” -- than I want that same kind of relationship.

   If Jesus has said “you will be my friend” -- if you “love each other as I have loved you” -- then I want to obey that command.   I want to share in -- & experience -- & to truly enjoy -- His Divine Friendship!

   It calls for more than a casual acquaintance -- a Sunday only kind of commitment.

   It means I will spend time daily in His presence -- in prayer -- in studying His Word -- in stepping out of my comfort zone into obedience -- doing His good & perfect will.

   This kind of relationship is essential if I am to know & understand God’s will & God’s purpose for my life.

   I want to know & to experience His divine friendship in an on going -- ever growing -- sharing sort of way! -- Will you do the same?

3.  Thirdly -- Jesus’ Friendship is Seen in His Salvation!

   Listen to what Jesus says in verse 16 -- “You did not choose me, but I chose you to go & bear fruit -- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”

   I like the way Eugene Peterson paraphrases this verse in his contemporary language Bible called The Message: --

“You didn’t choose me,  remember;  I chose you,

& put you in the world to bear fruit,  fruit that won’t spoil.

As fruit bearers,  whatever you ask the Father in relation to me,  He gives you.”

   Let me ask you: -- Are you one of God’s chosen people; -- or one of His frozen people?

   Some people act more frozen than they do chosen!

   If you are here today -- then you have been chosen by God Himself -- to bear fruit in this old world.

   Do you know what it means to be chosen?     Have you ever stood in a line with others -- hoping someone would choose you to be part of their team? -- Waiting to be picked?

   Take a moment to look back over your life -- & see how much you have felt rejected by others; -- or even worse -- how much you have rejected yourself.

   But listen to me this morning -- better yet,  listen to the Holy Spirit -- Who is not very pushy -- as He whispers to your heart,  saying: -- “You are chosen! -- You are my beloved!”

   The Holy Spirit is wanting to say to someone who is hurting today: -- “You are my chosen daughter. -- You sir,  are my beloved son.”   “I have chosen you -- & I am here to bless you! -- Oh yes, -- I have let some adversity hit you -- not to hurt you,  but to shape you -- so that you can minister to a hurting world.”

   To a lonely hurting soul whose marriage has failed; -- to someone who has been fired from their job; -- to someone who is hurting deep down on the inside; -- to you who have felt rejection all of your life; -- God is saying to you today -- you are my chosen!

   You were chosen in birth! -- You are no accident!   God has willed you into existence!

   The only reason you are alive & breathing air on the face of this earth -- is because God wanted you -- & He willed you into being!

   You were chosen in Salvation! -- The Bible says -- God is “not willing that any should parish,  but that all should come unto repentance”  (2 Peter 3:9).  God extends an invitation to one & all to come to His saving grace.

   You were chosen in service! -- As a born-again child of God -- God has gifted you with certain abilities that best fit your personally -- so that you can do service for God -- “bear fruit” -- like no one else can!

   Jesus is saying to you -- & to you -- & to you,  today -- “I have chosen you -- & put you in the world to bear fruit,  fruit that won’t spoil. -- As fruit bearers,  whatever you ask the Father in relation to me -- He gives you.”

   So,  dear friend -- loose your fear -- & worship God!

   Open your heart up today -- & embrace your choosiness!

   For you are chosen! -- The hand of the Lord is upon you!

   God has chosen you & me to experience His Divine Friendship!

   He has chosen you for the purpose of bearing much fruit -- fruit in character such as love,  joy,  peace,  patience,  kindness,  goodness,  faithfulness,  gentleness & self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

   You are to bear much fruit as you help lead other people to faith in Jesus Christ -- & help them to grow into spiritual maturity.

   You don’t have to do it all by yourself! -- As a chosen child of God -- experience His Divine Friendship -- & allow Him to work in you & through you to accomplish His good & perfect will for your life!

   We do not travel through this world without a Helper -- without a Friend! -- Jesus is your Helper -- your Friend.   He has said: -- “I will be with you always,  to the very end of the age”  (Matt. 28:20); -- “Never will I leave you;  never will I forsake you”  (Heb. 13:5).

Conclusion: -- One of the all-time greats in baseball was Babe Ruth.   His bat had the power of a cannon -- & his record of 714 home runs remained until Hank Aaron came along. 

   The Babe was the idol of sports fans -- but in time age took its toll --& his popularity began to wane. 

   Finally the Yankees traded him to the Braves.

   In one of his last games in Cincinnati -- Babe Ruth began to falter.   He struck out -- & he made several misplays in the outfield -- that allowed the Reds to score five runs in one inning. 

   As the Babe walked toward the dugout -- chin down & dejected --there rose from the stands an enormous storm of boos & catcalls.     Some fans actually shook their fists. 

   Then a wonderful thing happened. --  A little boy jumped over the railing -- & with tears streaming down his cheeks he ran out to the great athlete.  Unashamedly -- the little boy flung his arms around the Babe's legs & held on tightly.   Babe Ruth scooped him up -- hugged him -- & set him down again.

   Patting him gently on the head -- Babe Ruth took the little boy’s hand  -- & the two of them walked off the field together.

   Once, I was like Babe Ruth.  -- I had nothing to offer.   I was used up & wasted by sin. 

   Yet,  a man named Jesus leaped across the railing of Glory.   He came to this world -- lived a perfect life -- shed His blood on Calvary -- & arose from the dead. -- All of that for me -- & for you! 

   Then the day came when He came to where I was -- took my hand in His & saved me by His grace. 

   Now we are walking across the field of this life together -- headed toward the dugout! 

   He isn’t ashamed of me! --  He isn’t disappointed in me! -- He just loves me & walks with me. 

   That is what I call a Friend!  -- Do you know Him today?  --You can! 

   There is no greater language than love!

   If He is calling -- then you need to answer that call & experience for yourself His Divine Friendship! --  Will you do that this morning? --

Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ

www.wynnechapel.org