Friends

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

Friends have meant a lot to me lately. Aug. 29, 2022 Cindy’s mother passed into glory. While we do not grieve as those with no hope, the loss is still real.

Two months before, June 25, 2022 our daughter married a wonderful Christian man. We are so thankful for both of them, but it is the start of a new era.

To start off 2023 I sold my portion of our family home. I am glad that my younger brother purchased the home from the rest of us siblings.

You can add in broken fingers, taxes, and allergy season!

Friends have helped me get through these emotional roller coasters. Friendship might be talking before or after church, sharing a meal, or getting together for a community Bible study.

Friendship might be going to the movies together, a quick text, a long walk, or grabbing breakfast and coffee.

One example in the Bible of friendship is the story of Jonathon and David. You can find the account in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel.

King Saul’s son, Jonathon, was next in line to the throne, but David had been anointed King by Samuel. The notoriously jealous King Saul seeks David to kill him but Jonathon helps protect David from his father.

Jonathon and David befriend “one another.”

Hebrews 3:13 says “…encourage one another daily … so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Friends encourage one another to persevere in following Christ.

In James 5:16 we learn, “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Some confidential matters are hard, or impossible, to share with all friends, so find someone you can share with, like a pastor, counselor, or a 12 Step group.

Jesus teaches in John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” The context is the Last Supper and Jesus is illustrating the importance of humble service to one another. Jesus has just washed his disciples’ feet.

The next day, what we now call Good Friday, Jesus will go to the cross to die for our sins. To be clear, we are not the Messiah, only Jesus can die for our sins. Theologians call this the substitutionary atonement. As we sing in the hymn, Jesus, what a friend for sinners! Jesus is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.

However, we can follow Christ’s example of selflessness. This is called the exemplary atonement. That is, serve one another, wash one another’s feet so to speak. In short, be friends to one another.