“A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend; one human soul whom we can trust utterly; who knows the best and the worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults; who will speak the honest truth to us, while the world flatters us to our face, and laughs at us behind our back; who will give us counsel and reproof in the day of prosperity and self-conceit; but who, again, will comfort and encourage us in the day of difficulty and sorrow, when the world leaves us alone to fight our own battle as we can.”
– Charles Kingsley (Leaves of Gold, pg. 77)
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:13-15).
He called them friends.
On the night he would be taken away from them, Jesus called them friends. It is possible Jesus had not said this to the apostles previously. If that is true, think what a tender and powerful moment this was. Further, think of how powerful the memory of that moment would be when the apostles would look back on it from the other side of the cross. No greater love would be found than the love that led Jesus to Golgotha. He does it humbly and willingly for his friends.
Think of the dynamics that defined Jesus’ relationship with the disciples. He wasn’t shy to speak truth to them, but only so they may mature spiritually. He helped them see the real divine worth within each one, always encouraging and never causing division. He allowed them to discover their weaknesses, but never let them sink. His presence gave them confidence even in the most uncertain times. He let them struggle in moments of his absence, but only to build faith and perseverance. He was unwaveringly faithful, even to his dying day. Jesus: what a friend.
Perhaps today you can count yourself among those whom Jesus calls friends. You love him and strive to live in obedience to him. You embrace the new name, new position, and new life that he gives by his grace. Day by day you can attest to his faithful presence, and while you don’t always understand his ways, you trust him nevertheless. You know the sound of his laugh in moments of joy, the comfort of his shoulder in times of sorrow, the peace of his hand on you when fear presses in. You call him Lord. You call him Savior. And you call him Friend.
Tonight, your friend is counting on his friends to be with him. Will you go?
See you along the Winding Path.
The Winding Path 