Shaggy & Scooby, Bert & Ernie, Pooh & Piglet, Charlie Brown & Snoopy… friends, pals, buddies. These famous friends have stood the test of time. At times we have watched these duos get into arguments or go their separate ways, but in the end, they were always there for each other.
I have a friend like that. Her name is Heidi. From as early as I can remember, Heidi was my best friend. We were together whenever possible; sometimes we got into trouble (usually my fault), sometimes we got into an argument (also usually my fault), but we were devoted. We have been through a lot together; celebrations, sleepovers, peer pressure, rejection, bullying, tragedies, deaths of family members, problems with siblings, Algebra… and that was just from Kindergarten through High School. If someone asked me what a great friend would look like, all I would have to do is think about Heidi and I could give you a very good picture. She was always there for me, was a great listener, and could always make me laugh. She cried with me, encouraged me, gave me advice, forgave me, and always loved me just for being me. She was the wind beneath my wings. After high school, we went our separate ways; she got a college scholarship and I got a diamond ring. But the friendship remains.
I have often thought of Jesus in a similar way. He is my friend. He is always there to support me, encourage me, and help me whenever I am in need. As the favorite hymn states, “What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” The hymn goes on to pose the question, “Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?” I think we would agree, the answer is no. We will never find a better friend than Jesus. He is a perfect friend.
But what about me? Up until last week, when our Life Group watched the video for Experiencing God, I had never thought about what kind of a friend I was to Jesus. I was struck by the statement, “There is a difference between having Jesus as your Friend and you being a friend of Jesus”. Maybe I just assumed friendship was mutual. I would hope if I claimed someone to be my friend that they would echo that I was their friend also, but maybe not. Is it possible to have a friend who is not your friend in return?
In John 15:12-14 Jesus says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” Jesus claims us as his friend if we do what he commands, and the command stated here is to love one another. Jesus also says that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Seems like love is a pretty important factor in being Jesus’ friend.
So how do you measure up in the love category? Are you following Jesus’ command to love as he loved? To love both the sinner and the saint? To love the lovable and the unlovable alike? People will know that we are friends of Jesus, not by the religious rules that we keep or the words that we say, but by the honest way in which we show love by our actions.
May it not be said of you or me that we were not friends of Jesus because we were not willing to obey his command.
Erin Jacobsma