Scripture
15 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.
Reflection
For Jesus to elevate the disciples’ status to friends was a remarkable statement. The reason being the concept of a servant in the OT didn’t have a negative connotation attached to it, but rather a positive understanding. So, when Jesus informed the disciples, he will elevate their status from that of a servant to a friend, it came as a surprise to them since in the OT only Abraham is called God’s friend (Jas. 2:23). Therefore, for Jesus to call them friends was a big deal back then. Jesus then continues to explain why the disciples had become Jesus’ friends. The reason is because of what he had shared with them about the Father’s truth. Jesus knew that he won’t be with the disciples for much longer, thus by sharing everything he had learned from the Father, revealed how much Jesus trusted the disciples to carry forward this truth. And what an honour it is today to be a part of sharing this truth with other people and have their status elevated to friendship.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How will you respond to God’s love for you?
Prayer
Pray for unity across the churches in your area and invite the Holy Spirit to be at work.
