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The Pilgrim Path (7-12-2020)

The Pilgrim Path---John 15: 15

“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”

I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS

On this Communion Sunday, it is good to remember that the Savior has changed us from enemies into friends. We are members of the Covenant Family. We are no longer at odds with Heaven because of the blood-stained endeavors of the God-Man. He has brought us into the “beloved realm of the redeemed.” We could never have done this on our own. We were lost and undone. Please consider the quote below by St. Gregory of Nyssa below (335-394):

Beginning from God-breathed teaching, I boldly proclaim that God’s eternal Word does not want us to be slaves. He has now changed our nature for the better. He took all that was ours, to give us in exchange what is His. He took upon Him our disease, death, curse, and sin, and likewise our slavery. This did not put Him in the grip of what He took, but it enabled Him to purify our nature of these evils. Our imperfections were swallowed up and abolished in His holiness. In the future life, there will be no disease, curse, sin, or death. Slavery will vanish along with these other evils. Truth Himself confirms the truth of my words, saying to His disciples, “I call you no more slaves, but friends” (John 15: 15). Humanity, then will one day be free from slavery’s chastisement.

“What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!”

---What a Friend He is---He traveled from Heaven for Us: Please do not act like you do not know Him

---What a Friend He is---He paid a debt we will never fathom: Please do not act like you do not know Him

---What a Friend He is---He is at the right hand of the Father speaking for us: Please do not act like you do not know Him

---What a Friend He is---He bore shame and scoffing rude: Please do not act like you do not know Him

---What a Friend He is---He gave His “perfect” life for us: Please do not act like you do not know Him

---What a Friend He is---He makes us joint heirs: Please do not act like you do not know Him

---What a Friend He is---He dies that we might live: Please do not act like you do not know Him

---What a Friend He is---He gives us an incorruptible inheritance (ultimately making us incorruptible as well): Please do not act like you do not know Him

Fill every part of me with praise;

Let all my being speak

Of thee and of Thy love, O Lord,

Poor though I be, and weak.

So shalt thou, from me even me,

Receive the glory due,

And so shall I begin on earth

The song forever new.

Horatius Bonar, 1866

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason