Mission Venture Ministries

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s 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. (John 15:13-15) 

In Jesus’ time it was unusual to have a friendship relationship between a disciple and his rabbi, yet Jesus called His disciples / servants friends. They were friends because Jesus didn’t keep secrets from them, but openly revealed what He had received from God the Father. 

Jesus is telling His disciples that He loves them so much that He would do anything for them, even die for them. And He wants them to love each other in the same way (John 13:34-35). 

So, when we read this verse, we need to remember that Jesus is the ultimate example of love. He showed us how much He loved us by dying on the cross for our sins. And when we show love to others, we are following His example. 

Did you know that Jesus can be our best Friend if we believe in Him? Once we learn about what Jesus did for us and we make Him the Lord and Savior of our life He will become our best Friend. 

A best friend is one who loves you just the way you are, and yet helps you to be all you can be. Jesus is my best Friend because no one has ever loved me as He does. Jesus loved me so much that He gave His life for me so that I will be able to spend eternity with Him (John 3:16). Jesus said, “Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). 

Since Jesus is the Son of God, He is a holy God and He wants us to be holy also. God tells us to be holy because He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). Therefore, when we are friends with Jesus, He changes us from our old sinful self and gives us a new and a holy spirit and we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). We become more like Him every day as we study the Bible and obey what He teaches us. 

Jesus wants only what is best for us and that is what a true friend does. He will guide you in making decisions if you ask for His help and trust in Him. Wherever I go, the Lord Jesus goes with me. Whatever I watch, the Lord Jesus watches it with me. Whatever I listen to, the Lord Jesus listens to it also. If I truly love Jesus, I will not want to do anything that displeases my best Friend. 

Jesus wants us to talk to Him, come to Him during our times of trouble, and build a loving, long-lasting friendship with Him. Jesus is our best friend because He listens to us and has our best interest in mind. We can get in touch with Him instantly, directly and personally at any time of day or night, in any situation or circumstances either verbally or silently. In Psalm 5:3 we read: “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” 

Jesus promised to never leave or forsake His people repeatedly throughout scripture (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). Jesus promises that no matter what you face in life you can always count on Him to be by your side, guiding you along the way. He will never abandon you, leave you feeling lonely, or let you fight your battles on your own. Jesus instead is a real friend that will encourage you, lift you up, and help you through both the good and dark times in your life. When you develop a relationship with Jesus, you will feel a sense of comfort because you know He is walking alongside you. 

Once we see all the things that a friendship with Jesus offers, we recognize that He is the best friend that we could ever have, since a truly happy life is made possible only when we choose to have a friendship with Him! 

No one cares for me like Jesus. He wants me to talk to Him about everything that concerns me, is always ready to listen to me, to help me, to encourage me and is truly the best Friend I could ever have. 

If I find myself in trouble my best Friend is always there to help me. Jesus and I are best Friends forever, but I must never forget who He is. He is my Creator and He created the entire world, He is my Savior, my Lord, and my God, and I will always treat Him with respect and reverence; because His Holy Spirit lives inside of me. 

In conclusion, John 15:13 is a powerful verse about love and sacrifice. It teaches us that the greatest love we can show is to care for others in such a way that we would do anything to protect them, even if it meant risking our own lives. And when we show love like this, we are following the example of Jesus, who loved us so much that He died for us. So let’s go and show love to the people around us, in big and small ways, and make the world a better place to live, every day of or life! 

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