Servants and Friends – John 15:12-17

In Charles Dickens’ book, A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton, who bears a striking resemblance to Charles Darnay, saves Darnay from the guillotine by drugging him, donning his clothes, and dying in his place.  As he goes to his death he says, “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.”  His friendship and love for Darnay and his wife Lucy move him to make the ultimate sacrifice.  This is the sacrifice Jesus describes that springs from his love for his disciples.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I have commanded you.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing.  I have called you friends because everything I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit and that your fruit might remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name He might give you.  These things I command you, so that you would love one another.”  (John 15:12-17)

We have already heard Jesus say most of these things, so the repetition indicates how important it is that we understand this.  Jesus’ primary command for us is that we love one another to the degree he loves us.  He will demonstrate how much he loves us by dying for us.  The role of a rabbi to his disciples was master to servants.  They did whatever he told them to do.  But Jesus is indicating that he regards his disciples as friends, people with whom he confides and for whom he is willing to die.

A rabbi always chose who his disciples would be and the goal of their instruction was that they would resemble their master.  It is no different with us and Jesus.  He bore fruit and the Father gave him whatever he asked for.  His disciples must bear the same fruit, and what they ask the Father in Jesus’ name He will give them.  Like the apostles we still call ourselves servants of Jesus Christ, but we also at the same time are granted a more intimate relationship with him, a friendship.  And friends of Jesus love the other friends like Jesus does.

Discussion Questions

1. What examples of great sacrifice have you witnessed?
2. How has Jesus loved us?  What are the characteristics of his love?
3. How are we doing at loving one another that same way?
4. Do you feel more like a servant to Jesus or a friend?  Is it possible to feel both?
5. If Christ chose us to bear fruit, will we bear fruit?
6. What fruit of yours have you seen remaining?