The Joy Of Friendships

I would like to talk about friendships and the joy of having a close friend.  If we are truly born-again, we have a true friend.  

I would like you to think about what Jesus said as He was teaching about the vine and the branches in John 15:7-16, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

Jesus could have called us His slaves or His servants, which we should be but here He called us friends; it is hard to imagine the King of kings and the Lord of lords would call us His friends!  Just think, He left heaven to come down to earth to be our sacrificial Lamb because without the shedding of blood there could be no forgiveness of sins; and it had to be a perfect sacrifice and He was the perfect man who had no sin.  His love was so great that He became the perfect sacrifice for our sins, read verse 13 again, it is great news, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Jesus suffered agonizing pain all because He chose to.  He was beaten, whipped, spat upon, slapped, mocked, bruised and, as if that wasn’t enough, He was nailed to a cross by His hands and feet, suffering for our sins while the soldiers bartered for His clothes, and that wasn’t enough, He felt like his Father had forsaken Him.  He willingly died and was buried; but the good news was, He rose again to be the Savior of the world and this same Jesus calls us His friends.  Even in our sinful state; filthy, dirty and disgusting, Jesus still loved us even when we were His enemies and He could have destroyed all who did all the terrible things that were done to him, but He still said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”  And, the awesome thing about all this is that the invitation to know Him personally is still valid.

He says this in Matthew 11:27-30, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

A wooden yoke that was put on an ox was very heavy, especially when it was attached to a cart that was loaded down with hay, wood or other materials and then when it was removed it must have felt real good.  This is similar to people that are loaded down with sin, sickness, pain or problems; what they need is a true friend that can set them free of their sins, can heal their sicknesses, relieve their pain and help them with their problems and Jesus can do all these things and far more.  He can turn your depression into joy and give you perfect peace and love, where can you find a better friend than that?

Now please read this in Revelations 22:12-17, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

The invitation is still there for everyone to come, just like when Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well.  So, if you are thirsty, come and receive what the Lord Jesus has for you.  When you repent and put your trust in Him, He will be one that sticks closer than a brother.  He will be a real true friend. Something to think about and may the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!