05/29:2022
What does our relationship with Jesus look like? Are we His followers, servants, subjects, students, disciples, siblings, companions, or perhaps His joint heirs? Well, depending on where we are in our journey of faith, or the section of the road we find ourselves walking with Him, we can be any, or all, of these things at one time or another. But, there is one part of our relationship that best shows the depth and breadth of our relationship, and that is the friendship we have with Him. Jesus looks upon us as friends, but do we consider ourselves worthy to be friends with Him?
“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.”
John 15:15 ESV
Becoming someone’s friend does not happen the instant we meet them. Oh, we might like them right away, or feel comfortable being with them, but to become more than acquaintances, to become friends, requires time, effort, dedication, and really getting to know and understand that person… it also requires us to love them.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Proverbs 17:17 ESV
Because of the love we feel for our friends, it is a friend whose betrayal can hurt us the most. Have you ever had a friend who broke the trust you had placed in them, or suddenly abandoned your friendship altogether? Didn’t it hurt desperately to have this person, in whom you had entrusted your innermost secrets, and weaknesses, turn against you? God forbid, but have you have likewise ever hurt a friend? Have you stood in a crowd as they disparaged a friend, and said nothing in their defense?
“For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.”
Psalm 55:12-13 ESV
Jesus will never hurt us by neglecting, or betraying the trust we have placed in Him, but can we say the same? Judas betrayed Him, Peter denied Him, and the crowd chanted “Crucify Him!” I pray that we will honor His friendship, and not do any of these things, but if we do, He will feel the same hurt that we suffer when a friend turns against, or away, from us. Jesus was as much man as He was God, and in this regard He felt His emotions just as we feel ours…
“Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!””
John 11:35-36 ESV
“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,”
Luke 19:41 ESV
“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.”
Hebrews 5:7 ESV
For Jesus to tell His disciples, and us, that He considers us friends, is a powerful moment in our relationship, and reveals more than simply the fact that He wants to hang out with us… it demonstrates that He trusts us, and loves us. As our faith, and relationship with Christ advances we learn to trust Him too. More, and more, we feel at ease with Him, and as we reveal our innermost selves to Him we are transformed by our closeness into righteous men and women.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
It is amazing beyond words that Jesus would want to be our friend. It is an honor to be chosen for such a relationship, but are we ready to be His friend? Will we walk with Him in places where just being seen with Him will bring us ridicule? Will we come when He calls, and hold firm to Him in the face of all adversity? Will we allow Him to wash our feet? In all things… Can we be as faithful to Him, as He is to us?
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 18:24 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to save us from sin and death, but Oh Father, how sweet is the friendship we have found in Him. Help us Lord to be as good a friend to Him as He is to us, and increase our love and faith in Him as we walk together through life; even along the road to Emmaus. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us, befriends us, and never deserts us. Praised be your name for the counsel of Christ and the trust He has in us by calling us His friends. Merciful are you that you would send us a friend in Jesus Christ who would lay down His life for us. Your grace is sufficient for us Father, because there is nothing we can do to earn our own salvation, nor to deserve the friendship you have established with us. Wash us in the blood of Jesus, and make us pure in Him. Judge us worthy on the day of judgement, and call us your children, and your friends, as you welcome us into eternity with you. Let our friendship with Jesus have transformed us completely, and made us holy, and righteous in your sight… Let His image be cast over us, and please you greatly as you seat us at your table forevermore.
Rich Forbes