In John 15
Jesus uses an unusual word to describe His disciples. Now today the word, “friend” can have a
multitude of definitions, but “philos” in Greek means, “someone who is dearly
loved.” Jesus is so emphatic in His use
of this word that He offers a powerful predicate. He says, “No longer do I call you
servants.” That’s exactly what they had
been for 3 years. They had had the honor
and privilege of being the unlikely recipients of Rabbi Jesus’ call. Nothing in their upbringing or aptitudes
would have suggested to Jesus that He should choose them as disciples,
servants. But here, in John 15, Jesus
raises the ante by forever changing their name to friends.
I have an entire chapter in my book on the first century meaning of the word friend. It’s quite instructive to dig deeply into the first century usage and meaning. But think about what true friendship means today.
Someone has
said, “Friend: a one-syllable word
describing a person who is attached to another by feelings of affection or
personal regard. This is a typical dictionary definition, but genuine
friendship is much more. When we examine
the deeper meaning of friendship, so many descriptions come to mind: trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness,
kindness, understanding, forgiveness, encouragement, humor, cheerfulness, to
mention a few. Genuine friendship should
be treasured and nurtured.”
Joni Eareckson Tada writes, “In friendship, God opens your eyes to the glories of Himself.” Charles Spurgeon once said, “Friendship is one of the sweetest joys in life. Many might have failed beneath the bitterness of their trial had they not found a friend.”
It’s about
a critical aspect of friendship that we speak this Sunday, using a familiar
text – Acts 8:26-39. Here Philip acts as
the consummate friend to a perfect stranger.
Bill Hybels
of Willow Creek writes, “God often keeps us on the path by guiding us through
the counsel of friends and trusted advisors.”
Beth Moore writes, “We long to find someone who has been where we’ve
been, who shares our fragile skies, who sees our sunsets with the same shades
of blue.” Wow! Philip, guided by the Holy Spirit, is that
and more for a man he’s never met until the Gaza Road encounter. What he does is what Jesus calls all His
friends to do. May we learn to be such
friends to help ourselves and others flourish.
In
preparation for Sunday you may wish to consider the following:
1.
From what activity does God call Philip to
travel to Gaza?
2.
How far does he have to go to follow the command
of His Master?
3.
Why would the Holy Spirit compel Philip to leave
the crowds in the city of Samaria to go to the desert road for one man?
4.
What makes Philip suited for this task?
5.
What prompts Philip’s question in verse 30?
6.
Why doesn’t Philip just tell him all about
Isaiah and the Gospel and be done with it?
Why the question?
7.
What does his question promote?
8.
What’s the Ethiopian long for in verse 31?
9.
How is a true friend a guide?
10. Do
you think Philip’s abrupt departure from the waters of baptism is sad or
wonderful? Why?
See you Sunday!
