MY PERFECT, FAITHFUL FRIEND

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for HIS FRIENDS” – John 15: 13

The Lord Jesus Christ is MY PERFECT, FAITHFUL FRIEND: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for HIS FRIENDS. You are MY FRIENDS if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends…” (Jh.15: 13-15a). Jesus described His disciples in many ways, but one endearing description was reserved for His intimate farewell conversation with them prior to His trial and crucifixion – He called them Friends! Jesus gave everything to His friends – even His own life. He is our Model for friendship: He loved without limits and by His grace we can live and love likewise!

Friends are a significant and delightful part of life. People often say that two things will most influence where we’ll be a decade from today: the books we read and the friends we make; hence, we must choose both wisely!  In the past, to be a friend carried a deeper connotation than the instant ‘Facebook’ friendship of today, where one can “friend” just about everything and everyone superficially! Then, being a friend meant having a personal connection to someone; knowing their hearts, their likes and dislikes, fears and hopes. It involved regular communication, personal interaction, helping during hard times, rebuking when going wrong, and celebrating life’s great events together.

In a world of social networking sites, to be a friend is as quick as the click of a button, without any real commitment, intimate knowledge or true connection to others. People have ‘friends’ they have never met, except following their updates. That isn’t friendship; it is a cheap sham that lacks the salient features of biblical friendship like David had with Jonathan (1 Sam.18: 1-4) or the paralytic had with the four men who lowered him through the roof (Mk.2:4). Our text reveals the Lord Jesus as our Perfect and Faithful Friend, and what it means to be His friend.

Let’s meditate on two of the many hymns that celebrate this wonderful truth:

What a friend we have in Jesus!

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer!

Oh what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In his arms he'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.

There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus…!”

There's not a Friend like the lowly Jesus: No, not one! no, not one!

None else could heal all our souls' diseases: No, not one! no, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles; He will guide 'til the day is done:

There's not a Friend like the lowly Jesus: No, not one! no, not one!

No friend like Him is so high and holy, No, not one! no, not one!

And yet no friend is so meek and lowly, No, not one! no, not one!

There's not an hour that He is not near us, No, not one! no, not one!

No night so dark, but His love can cheer us, No, not one! no, not one!

Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him? No, not one! no, not one!

Or sinner find that He would not take him? No, not one! no, not one!

Was e'er a gift like the Savior given? No, not one! no, not one!

Will He refuse us a home in heaven? No, not one! no, not one!