The evening turned out to be quite unusual. First Jesus washed their feet and as the disciples hung out after supper, Jesus said something they thought they would never hear but something they would always remember. “I no longer call you servants… but I have called you my friends.. all that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.” John 15.15.

That was a lot to grasp for young Jewish men, who knew the only other friends of God were the great Abraham and the powerful Moses. God had revealed himself to them. The friends of God were people that He shared his secrets with. They even understood how God felt in some small way.

Where can God find a friend? God finds friends among men and women. Angels feel no pain and seraphim live in contented, unchanging bliss.  Only people, whose hearts feel love for their children and whose hearts can be broken, can understand the heart of the Father. Abraham, understood Gods pain as He walked up the long path to Mount Moriah to offer His Son.  Another servant of God who became Gods friend was Job who experienced great pain and loss.  Job lost property, his children and his dreams, just like God who lost His planet, His creation and His children, all in one day.  Who can understand the pain and hurt that God felt when His innocent Son, was riddled with putrid disease as He bore our sins?  Maybe people like Job as he suffered without a cause.

Friend, every painful, lonely, disappointing moment in our lives, reminds us of the privilege of friendship with God. He certainly understands us, and knows how we feel and because we understand His pain a little better (the fellowship of His sufferings), He reveals Himself to us further and invites us to become an even closer friend.