One of the more personal names for God is friend. Jesus told his disciples He was their friend and that applies to each of us as we embrace Jesus by faith. We too become His friends. I love the old hymn, “What a friend I have in Jesus”.  The lyrics speak of our friend Jesus bearing all our sins and griefs and our privilege of taking our problems to Him in prayer.   Jesus called us His friends in John 15:14-15 “ You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”   

Being called a friend of Jesus means we follow His Word and walk beside and with Him in our daily life.  He is right there to help us when we stumble, give a word of comfort or be our companion.  By following His pathway we are no longer just like a hired servants or one who receives orders to go along with him, but a friend to be confided in, helped and taught.   He also promises to reveal what He knows about God the Father to us.  A few verses later in John 15:18 Jesus warns us that being called His friend will put us in a position to be hated by others.  “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”   He also speaks of this in Matthew 10:22 “and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”   I love the promise Jesus gives at the end of the Matthew verse.  Standing with Jesus and enduring the derision and persecution that the unbelieving world places upon us because we proclaim Him, will bring a great reward. 

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have a friend in Jesus who will never leave me nor forsake me. Where do you need such a friend today? Reach out to Him in prayer and let Him know of your thoughts, hopes and struggles. He will be there for you as no one has ever been before!

Linda

Suggestion:  Spend some time with your friend Jesus today.  Go for a prayer, praise walk with Jesus.  Talk with Him as you walk along and praise Him for His provision and the glory you see along the way.  Can’t get out?  Just gaze out a window and spend time journeying with Jesus in prayer.