[186 words]
Proverbs 17:17 says: “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” True friends have a connection that goes beyond a couple of years. They are committed for life.
Jesus highlighted the importance of friendship in John 15:15. He gathered his disciples together the night before he was going to the cross, and said: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
Jesus did not refer to them as disciples, followers or believers. Instead, he called them “friends.” These other terms are important but, in this context, our Lord was demonstrating the strong bond he had with them…and with you!
Consider this: Our Lord showed how important his friends are to him. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Jesus died for you because he considers you as his friend! How are you showing your friendship to him?
Larry Fitzgerald
Woodlawn church of Christ
Abilene, TX