John 15:15 - Acquaintance or Friend?

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."

If you’ve spent any time around Christians, you’ve probably heard them talk about their relationship with Jesus. It got me thinking: What’s the difference between just knowing about Him and really being close friends with Him?

I meet a lot of people, and it’s rare that a week goes by without running into someone I know just enough to exchange a quick hello with. We might chat a bit, but there’s no real connection. That’s what it’s like to be an acquaintance.

Now, imagine a real friend—the one you can call at 2 a.m. or share your deepest thoughts with. That’s the kind of relationship Jesus wants with us. In John 15:15, Jesus is inviting us into a deeper relationship—not just knowing about Him, but understanding His heart and sharing in His mission.

Being close to Jesus means you get His guidance more clearly. It’s like having a trusted mentor who helps you see the way forward. 

Proverbs 3:5-6:  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Friends are there for us, especially when life gets tough. Jesus offers His peace in troubled times. When you’re really close to Him, His peace becomes a comforting presence that helps you through life’s storms. Philippians 4:6-7 talks about bringing our worries to God and receiving His peace, deepening our relationship and helping us grow spiritually.

True friendship with Jesus changes us. As we grow closer, we start to reflect His love and character more. We will want to be more and more like Him . (We all tend to start looking more and more like our friends the more we are around them.)

2 Corinthians 3:18:  "We are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."

So, how do you deepen your friendship with Jesus? Here are a few tips:

First, spend time in prayer and reading Scripture. It’s about keeping that communication open. 

James 4:8:  "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

Next, follow His commands and trust Him. 

John 15:14:  "You are my friends if you do what I command you."

Finally, get involved in serving others and living out His values. Serving others is like serving Jesus Himself. 

Matthew 25:40b:  "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

So, moving from just knowing about Jesus to being His friend is a game-changer. It means more guidance, comfort, growth, and transformation. Embracing Jesus as a true friend allows you to experience His presence and promises in a way that being a casual acquaintance just can’t offer. It’s about deepening that connection and letting it shape your life in beautiful, meaningful ways.