“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:1-11
It seems to be part of the universal human experience that we go through times when our life is mundane, dry, unfruitful, unfulfilling, and feels like a waste. I know I have times like that. I also know that most, if not all, of those time periods of dryness, are my own fault. There is a formula, if you will, for living a life that is fruitful, joyful, extraordinary, and fulfilling, an exhilarating life that we all want to live.
Jesus introduces us to this “formula” for what I consider successful living in John 15. In my terms, it amounts to living a life of intimate friendship with Jesus. Jesus refers to it as abiding in him. If we think of abiding as an intimate friendship we have a realistic picture of abiding in Christ.
The idea of being Jesus’ best friend is offensive to some folks. They think the idea of friendship violates the essential qualities of the Lordship and the holiness of God. They think it removes the demands of obedience to the law of God and reduces Jesus from being creator, sustainer, ultimate judge, and Lord of all to being just my best buddy. I differ.
If you have a best friend, have you ever had a falling out with that friend? When we have a falling out with a best friend, we realize that something is broken and we want it fixed. The loss of a best friend is painful. When we develop a friendship with Jesus that I would call a “best friend status” we have entered into the richest friendship we can have.
Can Jesus be a best friend?
I believe Jesus had a best friend during his stay on earth before his death. Who would that be? He is referred to in the gospel of John as the disciple whom Jesus loved. While Jesus hung on the cross shortly before his death, the only one of the twelve that was there was John. It was John to whom Jesus entrusted the care of his mother. At the last supper, it was John who laid his head on Jesus’ chest.
We fail to see the friendship of Jesus with John because we fail to see the true humanity of Jesus. Even though orthodox Christians will affirm the full humanity and full divinity of Jesus, we only see it as a doctrinal statement. This union is not only sound doctrine, it is reality. Jesus was, and is, fully human. Human beings have certain social needs which include friendship.
Pursuing best friend status with Jesus is the pathway to what we refer to as a Spirit-filled life. It is a supernatural life. It is in this friendship that we hear the voice of God and we see what God is doing so we can cooperate with him. This best friend status is critical for living in both the love of God and the power of God. Our best friend shares their secrets with us. (I am not referring to a gnostic “secret knowledge,” that reveals insider teachings.
Best friend status with Jesus means, among other things, that I want to do everything with Jesus. I want to be with him and do with him what he loves to do. What is important to Jesus becomes important to me. When Jesus’ compassion drives him to feed the hungry, I want to participate in feeding the hungry. When his compassion drives him to heal the sick, I want to participate with him in those healings. When his compassion wants to bring comfort to those hurting, I want to participate with him in bringing comfort.
Best friend status with Jesus means that we will spend significant alone time with him in fellowship. It means reading and meditating on his words. It means praying all the time. The apostle Paul refers to this as praying without ceasing. Best friend status means listening to Jesus. You can rely on your best friend. It’s the nature of the best friend status. A best friend is reliable. Pursuing Jesus as my best friend makes me want to be reliable, someone he can count on.
In our text above, Jesus describes this relationship as being grafted into him as the vine. Healthy branches are flowing with the sap of the vine. The branches are supple. They have lots of green leaves, and they bear lots of delicious juicy fruit.
I have found it helpful to think of abiding in him as being his best friend. I want to please my best friend. I love my best friend. I serve my best friend. I receive love and companionship from my best friend. Being a best friend, and having a best friend is fulfilling, especially when that best friend is also the creator of the universe and the sustainer of all things. I encourage you to develop best friend status with Jesus. The beauty is that he has the capacity to be the best friend to all of us.
