What king ever took the place of his slave or gave his life in place of those under him? Such a king would be most beloved by his people. Jesus told His disciples on the night of His betrayal:
John 15.12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 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. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”
Does Jesus say here that He would no longer be their Master? “No longer do I call you servants (slaves)… but I have called you friends…” This is truly awesome, to be called a friend of the Son of God!
But notice a friend of Jesus will keep Jesus’ commandments. Do you make friendships like that? Do you say, “Joey, you will be my friend if you do what I tell you to do”? Not many friendships would survive that kind of deal. But that’s what Jesus said.
This tells me that the Master / servant relationship still exists between Jesus and His disciples at the same time as the friendship exists. We are friends of our Master! And He is the greatest Friend of all – the One who laid down His life for His friends.
Another hint of the continuing Lordship of Christ is found a couple of verses later in John 15.20:
“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”
He is still Master! We are still slaves. This is why Paul began several of his letters with “Paul, a bondservant (slave) of God (or Jesus Christ)…” Paul found a wonderful grace in his status as slave of the Master.
How can we be satisfied to be called slaves? The word “slave” is a dirty word today, laden with centuries of negative baggage, and rightly so. Men have abused the master / slave relationship in many ways, committing ungodly acts against fellow men and women.
Yet men have also willingly entered into master / slave relationships since the beginning of time for economic and practical benefits. Indeed, what better situation can one contemplate than to have all needs taken care of by a benevolent and kind master?
Jesus, the perfect Master, lavishes His love upon His slaves. He has given us the Word of God, telling us all things the Father gave Him. He bled and died for us. He conquered sin and death for us. He provides all good things for us. Of benevolent and kind kings, He is superlative.
In this free country, we fight to ensure that slavery does not exist and men, women, and children remain free. But let us not forget we serve a great Master. Ironically, the highest and truest freedom is found in submitting to and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
Love Him. Keep His commandments. If you are a Christian, you are a citizen of a heavenly kingdom and you render obedience to a heavenly King. Our perfect King heads a perfect government, which by His grace includes you and me as His slaves. And what an honor to serve!