John 15:12–17 (ESV): 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 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. 16 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. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Abba,
Friend.
The very word engenders affection, delight, joy, satisfaction, pleasure.
It speaks of companionship, a shared life.
It brings with it images of strength, protection, care, wisdom, and commitment.
When we envision our friends, we are filled with gratitude and thankfulness.
When we envision our friends, loneliness is abated and even obliterated.
When we think of our friends, especially the ones who know us best, we are thankful that the though they us know us well, they choose to remain despite our faults and imperfections.
Friend.
Yes, Abba, we are thankful and blessed for the friends who we share our lives with.
Which is what makes this passage in John so profound.
You call us “Friend.”
What!?
What’s more…YOU CHOSE US.
I am that kid who was never chosen first and who was usually always picked last for any team event. I remember the time there was literally a fight over who HAD to have me on their team. I was not the one whom people flocked to fight over as first choice.
But then there is this!
YOU CHOSE ME.
YOU CHOSE US.
You revealed your mind, your will, your purpose to us. You divulged your secrets to us.
You selected us to be known by you and to know you.
You WANTED me. You WANTED us.
You desire for us to bear fruit through our lives for you. And, when we do, you desire to grant us even more when we ask.
Who can possibly comprehend this?
You, the all powerful, all knowing, ever present CREATOR of all the universe…chose me! You chose us, Father, an insignificant micron of creation, you chose to be a Friend.
You are ALMIGHTY God, El Shaddai.
You are Savior of the World
King of Creation
King of Kings
Lord of Lords
The Alpha and Omega
And you WANT me. You WANT us.
Oh Abba, do we really understand how precious and incredible this reality is?
Why do we struggle with contentment when we have this truth?
Why do we struggle with loneliness when You call us friend?
Why do we cling to this life when the one to come unites us with you in a way we never can be in this life?
There is no greater friend, than you.
You, Father, sent Your Son to die for us.
You, Jesus, willingly came and died for us.
You, Spirit, live inside this broken down flesh to seal us, protect us, guide us, teach us, and lead us back to You time and time again.
Remind us today, Abba, just how much we are WANTED and DESIRED by You. No, our minds cannot conceive it. But by faith, we claim it. In humility, we embrace it. And we thank you. We love you.
Abba,
Friend.
The very word engenders affection, delight, joy, satisfaction, pleasure.
It speaks of companionship, a shared life.
It brings with it images of strength, protection, care, wisdom, and commitment.
When we envision our friends, we are filled with gratitude and thankfulness.
When we envision our friends, loneliness is abated and even obliterated.
When we think of our friends, especially the ones who know us best, we are thankful that the though they us know us well, they choose to remain despite our faults and imperfections.
Friend.
Yes, Abba, we are thankful and blessed for the friends who we share our lives with.
Which is what makes this passage in John so profound.
You call us “Friend.”
What!?
What’s more…YOU CHOSE US.
I am that kid who was never chosen first and who was usually always picked last for any team event. I remember the time there was literally a fight over who HAD to have me on their team. I was not the one whom people flocked to fight over as first choice.
But then there is this!
YOU CHOSE ME.
YOU CHOSE US.
You revealed your mind, your will, your purpose to us. You divulged your secrets to us.
You selected us to be known by you and to know you.
You WANTED me. You WANTED us.
You desire for us to bear fruit through our lives for you. And, when we do, you desire to grant us even more when we ask.
Who can possibly comprehend this?
You, the all powerful, all knowing, ever present CREATOR of all the universe…chose me! You chose us, Father, an insignificant micron of creation, you chose to be a Friend.
You are ALMIGHTY God, El Shaddai.
You are Savior of the World
King of Creation
King of Kings
Lord of Lords
The Alpha and Omega
And you WANT me. You WANT us.
Oh Abba, do we really understand how precious and incredible this reality is?
Why do we struggle with contentment when we have this truth?
Why do we struggle with loneliness when You call us friend?
Why do we cling to this life when the one to come unites us with you in a way we never can be in this life?
There is no greater friend, than you.
You, Father, sent Your Son to die for us.
You, Jesus, willingly came and died for us.
You, Spirit, live inside this broken down flesh to seal us, protect us, guide us, teach us, and lead us back to You time and time again.
Remind us today, Abba, just how much we are WANTED and DESIRED by You. No, our minds cannot conceive it. But by faith, we claim it. In humility, we embrace it. And we thank you. We love you.
RSS Feed