LESSONS FROM JESUS | 13 | Friendship With The Master

One of the most beautiful things about our relationship with Christ as believers is the multiple dimensions that exist within it. Jesus is our Saviour and Lord (Master), yet He is also our Brother and Friend.

For today’s lesson, we will be looking at two dimensions of our relationship with Christ — friend and master — both from the book of John.

Friend

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. — John 15:14–15 (New King James Version)

In this passage, Jesus calls His disciples friends on the condition that they do whatever He says. He also makes a distinction between the relationship with earthly masters and their servants and the relationship He has with His disciples.

According to Him, the primary indicator of His friendship towards us is the fact that He has revealed all that He has heard from the Father unto us.

Even today, Jesus never hides anything that we need from us. Everything that the believer needs to know is revealed to us through His word and His Holy Spirit which He has given to us.

Master

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. — John 13:13–16 (New King James Version)

The passage above does not contradict the one quoted for friendship. The relationship with Christ as Master is one that reflects our surrender to His complete leadership and direction. It is through the lens of this relationship that we are able to trust His instructions completely.

The question is, how do we balance these two seemingly conflicting relationships.

It’s impossible for masters to consider themselves to be friends of their servants. I’m not saying that there aren’t any nice masters or bosses, but, friendship depicts a level of equality in status that a master-servant relationship simply cannot possess by its very nature.

To answer this, I will point out three unique attributes that need to be present in our lives for us to nourish this relationship using an example from John 12:1–11

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus, therefore, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table. 3 Mary, therefore, took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. — John 12:1–11 (English Standard Version)

Mary, Martha and Lazarus — Friends of Jesus

Sometimes it might be difficult for us to see the 12 who moved with Jesus as His friends even when they were. Mary, Martha and Lazarus, however, were clearly friends of Jesus.

Every account of their interaction with Jesus shows the deep sense of affection and familiar love that is often present in most friendships.

This does not mean that they did not revere Him or recognize Him as Lord. At the death of Lazarus (John 11), Martha confesses that Jesus is Lord and even speaks about “resurrection at the last day” (see verse 24). This shows us that Jesus had interacted with these siblings enough to teach them about the Kingdom of heaven and the end of this present age.

The events of John 12 are significant because this is the last time Jesus will share a meal with His friends. It’s a simple occasion, yet, the activities of the three siblings teach us vital lessons for our own relationship with Christ.

Martha — A Mouth Full of Praise

Martha has been found on more than one occasion in scripture being concerned with the meal that Jesus would eat. Although, she was corrected by Jesus once (Luke 10:42) for misplaced priorities; it is clear that she was a hospitable woman who deeply cared about the physical wellbeing of those around her.

On this occasion, she is found once again serving the meal. In our relationship today, what this represents is the praises that flow from our hearts and lips unto our Lord. Jesus does not occupy a physical body anymore and we cannot physically feed him. We have no meat on the fire, neither does God demand a physical sacrifice from us anymore.

What we have to give today is our praises, as they have the same effect on Christ and on God the Father Himself.

It is evidence of our love and commitment to Him and it is a vital part of the Christian’s daily life.

For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. — Hebrews 13:14–15 (King James Version)

Lazarus — A Life of Testimony

On the surface, it would seem like Lazarus had the easiest job of all three siblings because all He had to do was to show up, eat a meal and have conversations at the supper table.

However, when we put into context the events of John 11, we realize that there is more to his actions than this. The miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection was arguably the most profound miracle of Jesus’ ministry.

This is for a number of reasons.

• The location of the miracle: It was in the town of Bethany which is close to Jerusalem. Therefore, there were many witnesses who spread the news into Jerusalem and neighbouring towns.
• The nature of the miracle: It was not the only resurrection in Jesus’ ministry but it was unique because Lazarus had been dead for four days.

For these reasons, curiosity and belief in Christ were at the highest it had ever been and this prompted the rulers of the Jews to hasten their plans to kill Jesus. However, we are made aware that they also wanted Lazarus dead because the news of His resurrection made the people believe in Jesus.

Now we see why His presence was so important. The testimony of His life brought people to the Lord. As His friends, our lives should reflect His presence always.

On a final note in this section, remember that Lazarus passed through the most painful experience of his life before getting to this point. Most times, testimonies are born out of tests in life. We have to be ready to endure, knowing fully well that Christ will always bring out the best of every situation.

Mary — A Sacrifice of Love

We find ourselves faced with the third sibling, whose actions weigh the heaviest on my heart. Mary’s actions do not just signify her willingness to sacrifice her resources (the cost of the oil) but her very being.

Mary is said to have wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair. This is one of the most powerful depictions of humility and self-sacrifice in the entire Bible. A sacrifice born of a deep love for the Lord.

I’m not sure I’ve ever had to say the words, ‘thank God for Judas Iscariot’ before, but his comments in this passage help us learn some truths from the lips of Jesus.

His comments do not only re-emphasize how costly the oil is but makes Jesus respond with the words, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial…”
Although Judas spoke for his own selfish reasons, I’m quite certain He was not the only one present who was confused about the reason or significance of Mary’s action. However, his comment helped us to learn that it had significance!

The lesson here is simple. In our relationship with Christ Jesus, we will find ourselves coming to places of sacrifice time and time again. Many of these sacrifices will not be understood by the world and they may not even be understood by fellow believers.

It does not matter if anyone gets it. It is a relationship between you and your Master and Friend. As long as He is the one leading you and He understands, that’s all that matters.

It is my prayer that Christ will continue to lead and guide us in our relationship with Him.

If you somehow stumbled upon this article and you do not have a relationship with Him but would like to start one today, please say the prayer below:

Lord Jesus, I have read today that you are both master and friend to those who obey you and do what you say. You said in your words that if I believe in my heart that you are the son of God and I confess with my mouth that God raised you up from the dead; I will be saved. I believe and confess you today as Saviour and Lord. Come into my heart today and be my master and friend. Amen.

If you said this prayer. I’d like to be the first person to welcome you to God’s family. Please feel free to leave a comment if you want to talk more and seek out a Bible-believing church to attend.

Until next time.

Keep living for Christ!