My Friend
Friend. That’s a word tossed around all too easily by me for most of my life. I think everyone does in one way or the other. But just what is a friend, and what does he mean to you? I have looked up the word in Merriam Webster’s dictionary, and that doesn’t do the word justice.
I do a Bible study with my Pastor every few weeks. Sometime in the last year during one of our discussions I brought up some scripture that was interesting to me. I really don’t recall what it was, but on the following Sunday he referred to that scripture in the sermon. When he did, he said “a friend brought up this scripture to me this week.” I couldn’t believe it when I heard it. My Pastor referred to me as “a friend.” Me, a person who shunned anything religious or associated with the Church and who the term “Pastor” meant nothing for most of my life! It was overwhelming to me. I sat there with tears running down my face. This is something I never expected to happen in my life and it touched me deeply.
We have just started a study at our Church of the Book of John. It is going to last for a good 4 months or more. As we started the study, our Pastor challenged us to read the Book of John every week during the study. That amounts to 3 chapters a day. I have been getting up very early in the mornings to do this because it affords me quiet time to do my reading. I am on my third reading of John at the moment. I’m finding that with each reading, I come across things that I either had missed before or speak out to me now that didn’t before. This morning I was finishing chapter 15 when a portion of scripture I had read several times seemed to open up to me. John 15:9-17 NIV
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed 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, that he lay down his life for his 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 to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.
As I read this, that day in church when my Pastor referred to me as his friend came rushing back to me. Jesus had just referred to his Disciples as his friends. As I sat there this morning with tears in my eyes remembering what it meant to me to have my Pastor say that, I couldn’t help but think about what that must have meant to them. If they did not realize it at that moment, then sometime after the Resurrection, this moment when Jesus called them friends had to be overwhelming to them.
That’s when I realized something. I have always thought of Jesus as Lord, God, and Savior. But he is also my friend. That makes my relationship with him all the more special. I don’t think I will ever look at the word “friend” quite the same way as I used to now. It will be something special to me from now on.
Jesus can be your friend too and you can have that type of relationship with him. He will be a true friend that will always be there for you and never leave your side. All you have to do is accept him!
September 24 2009 12:53 pm | Bible Thoughts
sheep on 24 Sep 2009 at 1:24 pm #
yep thanks man crazy how god speaks somtimes i got it
forgotten on 24 Sep 2009 at 11:04 pm #
I see your point, but to regulate Jesus DOWNWARD to the status of friend, a term given to each other by we mortals, does not do justice to Him, in my opinion. Jesus could not do his ministry on earth by befriending people. Only by showing that he was the Son of God could people actually believe in Him. Referring to Him as my friend puts Him on the same level as my fellow mortals on earth, and I couldn’t ever do that.
Of course, maybe that’s why I’m in such dire straits in my life right now, what with being jobless for almost two years and my health failing. I’ve prayed for help, with no answer or blessings coming my way. I suppose I’m not a true believer or worthy of help. I once thought I was, but I suppose not now. I have no answer for why my condition continues, only that I have little time left to make something of my life before it is too late. And as this world spirals ever downward with the current state of affairs in it and especially in this once great country, I see little hope left or desire to keep on with the charade of life.
kansasvike on 25 Sep 2009 at 4:57 am #
Good morning. I see your point but I’m in no way regulating Jesus downward. I’m raising the term “friend” upward. That’s why I won’t quite look at the word the same anymore. Besides, a friend is someone you can spend time with, tell your deepest thoughts to, your fears, hopes, and joys. Someone you can go to for counsel and comfort in times of trouble. To laugh with and cry with. That’s all part of having a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I’m sorry to hear of your current troubles in life, but don’t despair. Our Lord is there with you to guide and comfort you. We don’t know why these things happen sometimes. God allows suffering, but he is not the one who causes it and sends it into our lives. One of the biggest lies Satan perpetrated on this world is that God does these things to people. He doesn’t, but He is there for you through it all.
Faith and Jesus Christ don’t prevent these things from happening in our lives, if they did, everyone would line up tomorrow to be a Christian. A relationship with Jesus Christ provides strength and encouragement for the things that happen in our lives. It won’t exempt us from these things happening to us, but it will sustain us through them.
One of my favorite passages is from Paul when he asks God to remove the thorn from his flesh. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I assure you that you are not forgotten. Seek His kingdom and righteousness. Draw near to Him and He will be with you during these times. Don’t let Satan destroy your faith. Trust God to provide sufficient grace for you and you can get through this.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I will be praying for you.
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Mike
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105