DIRECT TALK
Richard Harris
Today's Scripture: “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.” John 15:15, ESV
Theme: God desires an intimate relationship with each one of us.
THE TRINITY AT WORK
The words of this scripture, given to us from the Disciple John, are very powerful. In a most beautiful way, they come to us from God through the living incarnation of Jesus, who then addressed it to John and the rest of His disciples. They, in turn, wrote these words and compassion for all future believers. This was given to us at the Last Supper, before Jesus went to face His crucifixion.
To show loving servitude and friendship, Jesus washed the feet of His friends. This was a physical display of both a servant and a friend. Judas departed after he partook of the bread. Jesus was betrayed and crucified the next day. Jesus’ words were meant to be passed on and played out through every day of our Christian lives. I think of this as being given the entire picture through The Holy Trinity itself. The intimacy is prevalent: The Father was sharing things with the Son which Jesus heard; the Son was making them known to His friends. These men, His disciples, lived out these words through the Holy Spirit over these past two thousand years. Jesus, knowing that He would die the following day, was clear and direct in His teaching of God’s entire plan.
OUR INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Through intimacy, we can share our inner feelings, experiences, fears, love, and more. Our conversations and prayers, through our spiritual intimacy with God, is a soul-deep connection with our Creator. He loves us for who we are. As servants, we fear and respect our Lord. As His friends, we love and respect our Lord. As Christians, we are redeemed by our Lord. His sacrifice defines every day of our lives. We need to give thanks to this intimate friendship with our Lord.
ALL IN
Jesus is the true vine. Since He is the vine, and we are the branches. With Him, we will bear much fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). As the vine, our Lord is the true source of life for us. As Christians, through the Holy Spirit, we are the connecting branches that flourish with the fruit. Within us, the Holy Spirit dwells. We grow in a garden tended by God. Let us align our thinking to our Lord’s way. We serve Him because we love Him, not because we are just subservient. We should be all-in.
Make It Personal: Jesus did not speak in any parables here. He said it as it is. He was clear in His meaning. He knew that His time on earth was near its end. It was time for direct talk. God desires an intimate relationship with each one of us. He has invited us to be His friends. We can achieve that, with the promise of eternal life, through that spiritual intimacy; the intimacy that lets God’s words play out every day of our lives.
Pray: Almighty and Everlasting Father. We thank You for this opportunity of eternal friendship within your Heavenly Kingdom. An intimate relationship with You is made available to those of us who cherish the opportunity to be branches upon Your vine. Together, let us serve to bear the fruits of friendship, loving our neighbors as ourselves, as we work in harmony within this Holy Trinity. We learn our love from You, Lord. We have gained our love through You, Lord. All this is in obedience to the words which You had made known to us through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
Read: Amos 3:7; Matthew 13:11; Luke 22:15-16; John 12:26; 1 John 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Weekly Memory Verse: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1, ESV