John 15:1-17

“No longer do I call you slaves … but I have called you friends” (v15).  The gospel stories about Jesus teach us what relationships look like in the Kingdom of God.  Between Father and Son, the fundamental dynamic is love, not power, and Jesus invited us to share their fellowship: “abide in My love” (v9).  Our human instinct is to focus on hierarchy and rules, but Jesus showed us that even leaders and followers can be joined by love. The King of Kings calls us friends (v9).

Husbands and wives, parents and children, siblings and friends: as we follow Christ, every relationship is transformed by love (v12).