“You are my friends if you do what I command.”

John 15:14 (NIV)

I often think about what it will be like when Jesus comes back to earth. In my mind I imagine the crowds that will surround Him. People will push to be near Him. They will call His name hoping He’ll stop and turn for just a moment … His hand on their heads or a word of blessing from His mouth.

In that same picture, I imagine myself on the outside of the circle. Not quite brave enough to push through the crowd. Timid and certain that Jesus would be looking to find someone more “important” than me. What would I say if I actually got close enough to speak to Him? How would I introduce myself?

“Uh, hello Jesus … it’s me … Glynnis.” Ugh! I’d probably embarrass myself with awkward and stilted words. What would I say next? Knowing me, I’d probably begin a list of how I’ve served Him, hoping to prompt His memory about who I am. Or maybe trying to impress Him a bit. Double ugh.

As I read through today’s scripture verse, I got another picture of Jesus. In that one, I don’t have to introduce myself to Jesus. He already knows who I am. In fact, just as a friend calls for me across the street, Jesus would call me by name. I won’t have to spell it for Him as I’ve done all my life. I won’t have to tell him my name is “Liz” like I do at Starbucks so they’ll be able to pronounce it when my coffee is ready. Jesus will already know me and call me by name … Glynnis.

How am I sure of this? John 15:14 tells us that when we obey Jesus’ commands He calls us friend. Scripture also tells us that He knows us by name (John 10:3). And that He’s coming back to get us (John 14:3).

This picture of meeting Jesus fills me with joy. Whether it’s here on earth at His return, or when I get to meet Him in heaven, Jesus will call me friend if I obey His words. As joyful as the future will be when I meet Jesus, I can start to develop that relationship with Him now. Reading the Bible so I know what to obey is critical. I also can spend time talking with Him in prayer. My friendship with Jesus needs an investment of time just like my other friendships if it is to develop and strengthen. That sure sounds better to me than standing on the outside of the circle.

Dear Lord, I praise You for Your faithfulness to me. Thank You for loving me and for calling me friend. Help me to make obeying You a priority. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Related Resources:

Do you know Him?

work@home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work From Home by Glynnis Whitwer

The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer



Application Steps:

Name five characteristics of a good friend. Think of how God has fulfilled these characteristics.

Reflections:

What does it tell you about someone when he or she remembers your name?

What difference does it make to you that Jesus knows your name?

What changes do you need to make in your life so that you are a better friend to God?

Power Verses:

John 15:15, “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.” (NIV)

John 10:3, “The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (NIV)

Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NIV)