Many Servants but Few Friends

Thursday morning, November 15, 2007
As I was finishing my second “read” of Malcolm Smith’s book, “The Power of the Blood Covenant” this line jumped off the page (284) at me: ‘He has many servants but few friends.” How true and how tragic, especially in light of the fact that He redeemed us, not to be His servants but to be His friends. This is what Jesus said: “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends” (John 15:15a).
In my opinion, it has been the teaching of most local churches that has robbed us of even being aware that Jesus desires our friendship; instead it has taught us that we are here to serve Him (as if He needs our service!), so as to help Him get everyone saved, even if in the nick of time. The real tragedy lies in the fact that we have been so naïve, as to believe it!
Now, don’t misunderstand me: it is quite the privilege to serve Him, BUT our service is not what He desires; He desires US—you and me! Take even a brief look at the
Song of Songs (Solomon) and I think you will find plenty of evidence to support this.
Folks, Jesus did not die because God need some helpers, people who could help Him accomplish what He could not accomplish on His own; instead, He died because God wanted intimate relationship with you and with me. Sadly, however, most believers spend their lives diligently attempting to be His servants—people who have no idea what He is doing (or so Jesus said in John 15:15).
Obviously, I cannot speak for you but I can tell you that I want to know what He is doing; I want to be in His inner circle of friends. Granted, this is not something I can achieve but it is something I can receive; HOWEVER, I can receive it only as I am willing to stop living as His servant and begin living as His friend.
Somehow, we need to begin to understand, to know, to really KNOW, that He is not interested in our being His slaves (servants), not at all; instead, He is interested in our being in intimate relationship with Him, so much so, that He has done everything, as in EVERYTHING, in order that we are free to spend our days (and nights) living in intimate relationship with Him. Please, please, cease striving and begin to enjoy intimacy with Jesus; after all, His desire is for you (or so the Song of Songs tells us!).
Did you get that? HIS DESIRE IS FOR YOU! Remember: He already has many servants, but He has few—very few—friends! Maybe, just maybe, you could take some time off from your diligent efforts to serve Him and, like Mary (Martha’s sister), spend some time just sitting at His feet, just being with Him, waiting and watching and listening. It really is OK for you to do; you might be nervous at first, but He has His very own way of making His friends feel right at Home!
Have a great day with Him, just being His friend!

Blessings,

Mac