The Hockey Game                                                                                                                         C - 2

 

Here is a quote from the Jesus, in John’s Gospel, a quote so astounding we can hardly believe it or take it in: “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 have learned from my Father I have made known to you”.

John 15: 15

 

“Come on, we’re going to the hockey game next Thursday night!”

I was both pumped and frightened: pumped because I was a hockey player in my youth, frightened because I hate crowds and the attendant feeling of being boxed in and confined.  Kind of a home-grown psycho in training.  The grin on my friend’s face was huge; I didn’t know it then, and he didn’t tell me, but he had purchased tickets near an exit, at the end of a row. 

When Thursday came and we found our seats at the arena, he couldn’t wait to tell me about the tickets.  “I know you,” he said, “and I know just where you would be most comfortable!”  No comments about my weirdness; just a big grin!  He was far more thrilled with his seat selection surprise than about the game itself!  Such a personal gift.  Imagine a friend who knows you that well! 

We hear countless sermons on how God knows us and loves us, and these messages are so needed.  But in addition, we need to hear also that Jesus Christ is our best friend, and because of this we can naturally get to know him more and more intimately each day.  We can hear his voice, and we can know his heart on everything that comes to us in life.  We can know him even more intimately than my friend knew me! 

“Everything” is a powerful word, but real friends do indeed share everything in their lives.  Jesus invites us to go with him on our journey through life together, but don’t worry, he knows exactly where we’re going and what our needs will be along the way!

 

1) Can you imagine the depth of excitement my friend had as he bought those tickets?

2) How personal were those particular tickets? 

3) That incident happened many years ago.  Why would I remember it so well? 

4) In the quote from John’s Gospel above, can you see that Jesus wants us to know about how He and our Father think on an everything basis? 

5) There is a reason this quote is in the Gospel.  So do you think He would say that today, to you? 

6) Is it possible that God Himself can get “excited” about blessing us so personally, like my friend did?

 

If you answered “yes” to the above question, how might this change your spiritual life?