2 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.   John 15:12-16 NRSV

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People who go cross-country skiing, high-mountain hiking, or winter camping should be aware of the dangers of losing body heat as a result.

Several true and fictitious winter survival stories exist. I’ve read and watched documentaries on such remarkable incidents, as well as TV dramas depicting such dangerous scenarios. In several of these survival stories, we’re told or shown how two people would spend hours huddled in one down-filled sleeping bag, relying on each other’s body heat to stay warm in sub-zero temperatures. 

Some stories, especially those in which one of the stranded party members was extremely ill or seriously injured, stated that their companion would use his body heat to keep the other’s core body temperature elevated, even if it meant risking their own lives. That, my friends, is what true friendship is all about.

I finally understand what Jesus meant when he said, “No man has greater love than this, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” [Matthew 15:13] He was eating a last supper with his intimate circle of friends, the twelve, just before his crucifixion. 

He was speaking to them about how love and joy are refined throughout this evening’s discussion. “This is my command, that you love one another as I have loved you,” he stated simply that evening. [Matthew 15:12]

How did Jesus show his disciples so much love? Did he set a good example of love? Was he going to directly show them the truth behind the words? Jesus gave of himself so that we could live another day; so that we could live forever with our Father, God.

Jesus offered his flesh as a once-and-for-all sacrifice for your and my sin. What a good friend he is! Are you and I willing to help a friend in the same way?

V.14 “to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”Later rabbis, presumably reflecting Jewish tradition, did not place a high value on giving one’s life for one’s friends. Greeks, on the other hand, regarded this gesture as the ultimate show of friendship and would have welcomed this message. One of the highest principles of old friendship was loyalty.

V.15 “but I have called you friends,” Some of Jesus’ thoughts here may have resonated with many ancient listeners. Intimacy and the confidential sharing of one’s heart secrets were ancient friendship values. 

Philo, a Jewish philosopher, spoke of God’s friendship; at times, he contrasted this status with that of simple servants. Wisdom was also thought to turn holy people into “God’s friends and prophets” (The Wisdom of Solomon 7.27). 

Abraham was referred to in the Bible as God’s friend (2 Chr 20.7; Isa 41.8), maybe because God would not conceal essential information from him (Gen 18.17). Moses was also considered as a friend by God, who spoke with him “face to face” (Ex 33.11).

V.16 “but I chose you. And I appointed you. . “ Although most Jewish teachers welcomed potential disciples, the Gospels emphasize that Jesus chose his own core group of disciples. 

God picked his people by grace in the Old Testament (Deut 7.6–7; 9.5); the Israelites were the only people to have that privilege (Deut 14.2). God began by selecting Abram (Neh 9.7), and then other people were selected for specific tasks (e.g., Ex 35.30). 

The disciples may gain confidence in their ability to produce fruit as a result of being chosen. ask him in my name. See the 14.12–14 remark.

12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me[a] for anything, I will do it. John 14:12-14 NRSV

The hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” is well-known to many of us. We may all agree that the Savior is a wonderful friend, yet we have a limited understanding of this relationship. Jesus’ friendship with us is far more profound than anything we can imagine on a human level. Let’s take a look at some of the aspects of His relationship with us.

For us, Jesus gave His life. On the crucifixion, our Savior made the ultimate sacrifice for us, demonstrating His faithfulness. Surely, then, Jesus is a friend who will always be there for us, and He will fulfill all of His promises.

If we obey Him, we become His friends. Those who are saved might call themselves His friends because they love to obey Him.

He lets us in on what He’s up to. The Scriptures include everything we need to know about Christ and His activities and ways.

We were the ones he hand-picked. We didn’t deserve His friendship, and we won’t be able to lose it because it is based on His decision to love us rather than ours.

Having Jesus as a friend means that we will always be wanted, cherished, and cared for by Him.