Are you a friend of God?

Yes I a lot of people treat Him like He is their friend, but having a friend and being friend are two different things. You might consider Him your friend but does it seem like friendship to Him? What does it look like to be a friend of God?

Let me invite you to enter into this story alongside the disciples:

You are one of the disciples sitting in the garden at the Mount of Olives and you just went through the craziest experience of your life.  At first it seemed like the usual traditional holiday dinner, which you have memorized and loved since you were a child. You thought it was normal, and all the right things happened; yet something felt off this time… and somehow more whole.

You see, Jesus was teaching something different this time and it was kind of hard to follow. Then He — of all people — washed everyone’s feet. Not John, not Thaddaeus; the master, Jesus, did it. “Perhaps because of their irresponsibility or immaturity,” you thought to yourself.  Then you hear Jesus’s message of the least will become the greatest and the greatest will become the least.

What was Jesus saying? Wait, were you supposed to wash their feet? You were sure he was looking at you when he said that. It was like he knew your thoughts.

He also said that the bread and wine were his body and blood. It was odd, but not too shocking; he had said a similar thing before: “unless eat the flesh of the Son of Man and dink his blood you have no life in you”. He also seemed to be saying he was fulfilling something. Everyone knew it was him being Messiah, because this whole feast pointed to the awaited Messiah.

Then things got confusing.

Even now, as you sit in the garden trying to stay awake and you recall all that was said, it feels jumbled. Jesus had brought his disciples to the garden to pray so that none of would fall into temptation and instead wait for him. It was dark and it felt as if the night was luring you to sleep. You were trying to keep yourself awake by rehashing the things he had said. So much of it felt like he was saying goodbye.  He said he was sending a helper to teach truth, and you all would do everything you had seen Jesus do. He said it was better that he go and send the helper. But also, he said he would return. He even called you all his friends, after commanding you to love each other as he loved you. He explained that there was no greater love than to die for your friends.  He said that now is the time, after saying it was not that time so often; but now you were not sure you actually wanted to hear it. Lastly, he blessed you with peace and said he overcame the world.

What was it time for? What was about to happen? Your thoughts are now interrupted when you hear Jesus’s voice. He was speaking to Peter, James and John; they were farther away but you could still hear him say, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to the point of death. Stay here and watch.” You watch as he goes deeper into the garden. Something in his words and appearance makes panic rise in you. Something is really about to happen tonight. Grief fills your heart. He really is leaving. You all look at each other distressed. “Wait, did he really say this was his last meal with everyone or was that hypothetical?” A thick tension seemed to settle in around you. You can hear the intensity of Jesus’ prayer. You try to pray as he had instructed, but your eyes became heavy.

You awake to Jesus rebuking Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch for one hour? Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Everyone gathered themselves and sat more upright and you all began praying again. You even hear some of what Jesus prayed even from a distance. He was asked that the Father would take this cup from him. You look at Andrew sitting next to you. “Isn’t that what he was praying last time?” you ask. He nods in response. Jesus again fell on his face and his prayer only intensified. He cried out before God and wept loudly. Again, you feel grief. It was so overwhelming; you again fall asleep.

You awake again to him rebuking them, “are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough.” By now you are awake enough to realize his clothes are stained with blood, yet he looks strengthened. Fear rises within you. What is happening? Jesus continues, “the hour has come; behold the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

You all rise promptly and look at each other’s faces for answers, but no one seems to understand anymore than the other. The adrenaline begins to kick in.  “Well, if it is time for Jesus to take his kingdom, we will be ready.” No one has any idea how there was enough people among you for a battle with Rome, and you all assume there is a plan to collect more people.

Suddenly, you see a small army coming up the road from Jerusalem. “Oh no.” Apparently, Jesus thought your small group was enough, and he meant now as in “right now.” You all brace yourselves.

Then you see Judas leading them. You relax a little… then you remember the supper. Did Jesus prophecy that Judas would betray him? Did he say even Peter, who swore to die with Jesus if needed, would also deny him? Did he say he was going to die? And you thought you were going into battle or something. “Is that not why he had us get swords?” But wait a second, you seem to recall him saying something about giving you his kingdom where you would rule over the twelve tribes with him and the others; so this can’t be the end, right? Though he also said none of us could go with him where he was going.  Amidst the whirling thoughts, you see Peter pull his sword, so you do too, but he is the first to strike….

Stay tuned for next week’s blog with the rest of the story. For now, how do you think you would react or respond in the circumstances surrounding the crucifixion if you were one of the disciples? Jesus called them his friends; did they act like a good friend should? Why or why not? What do you think Jesus meant by calling them his friends? Do you believe you fit the qualifications?

This is not to tear yourself up for your failures, but for God to reveal truth and for you to repent and grow:

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1

I encourage you to search your heart and really examine where you are with the Lord. Do you listen for his voice and obey?  Ask God to shine light into where you heart is with Him, and where it is not? I love hearing the things you have learned in the comments, so please share.