When you think about Jesus, do you think of Him as your friend?
A friend is there to pick you up when you are in trouble, and you help them out when the time arises.
I personally have over 1,400 people as Facebook friends. Do I really know all of them? Probably not. I have a few close friends but over the 47 years of my life, people come and go. Either I move on, or they move on.
Jesus had His friends. He had:
12 disciples.
3 close friends: Peter, James and John.
1 closest friend: John.
If you are married, is your best friend your wife?
The definition of a friend is:
Friend noun
a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter.
friends of the Boston Symphony.
a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?
a member of the same nation, party, etc.
“A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” (Proverbs 27:9)
“Iron sharpens iron….” (Proverbs 27:17)
I found this quote online:
“A good friend has many qualities — someone you can be close to and honest with. Someone you share your ups and downs with. Someone with whom you talk, listen to and rely on. Someone with you shares the greatest intimacies of life. You don’t share those intimacies with anyone, but only with a good friend, a special friend. A good friendship is always a two-way street: talking and listening, giving and receiving, loving and being loved. A good friend brings joy to life. Friendships are often bonded in pain. Sometimes, you go through some really tough times together, and those friendships share a common painful moment that very few are truly part of.”
Source: https://hope1032.com.au/stories/faith/devotions/2021/good-friends-2/
Would you lay down your life for your friend?
Jesus said, “No greater love has a person than this: they are willing to lay down their life for their friends. Now, you are my friends, if you do what I command you, to love one another. You didn’t choose me, but I chose you. I chose you to be my disciples and friends. I don’t call you servants because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing, but I call you friends because you know what the master is thinking and doing. You know the inside of the master’s head and heart. You are my friends.” (John 15:13-17).
Discussion Questions:
Who are your friends?
Who are your friends that you can call at 2am in an emergency?
Who are your friends that you can call when you have a flat tyre? Other than the AA.
Blessings
Raymond Lum