I am always amazed and filled with joy when I read that Jesus calls me friend (John 15:13-14).

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one’s friends.
John 15:13

Although Jesus was speaking to the disciples directly, He also laid down His life for me. What great joy that brings me to have Jesus love and care for me in such a way.

Throughout my life, I have always had a few close friends. Those friends have changed with the seasons of my life. Each of those friends has always been a blessing in good times and bad. But Jesus has been the constant friend. Among other ways, Jesus has often used the physical friends I have to be His hands and feet to express His friendship to me.

This month we look at a lot of great things which bring us joy. In this month's commentary we consider The Greatest Gift. And we rejoice in this month’s abundance of the heart, Love is Given, Not Earned. In our exhortation we look at what Jesus said was The Greatest Commandment.

And finally we consider what it means to Love One Another, and more importantly to put that into action.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:9-17 (emphasis mine)