As I was preparing for a Sunday service at Southside Baptist Church, I reflected on the importance of relationships and their impact on our lives. We often face the challenge of maintaining friendships and meeting their demands, but one friend stands out above all others.
Proverbs 18:24 - "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
The Desire For Friendship
In the book of Proverbs, it is mentioned that having friends requires showing oneself to be friendly. This emphasizes the importance of being open and kind in our relationships.
Friends come in various types, from best friends and close friends to casual friends and even frenemies. Every kind of friendship has unique demands and dynamics that can either uplift or burden us.
The Demand Of Friendships
The demands of friendship can, at times, be exhausting, as highlighted by the Hebrew word "ra'a," which means being broken into pieces or brought to ruin. Ra'a is the original word from which the phrase "must shew himself friendly" is translated.
In his wisdom, Solomon acknowledged the fickle nature of friendships and the toll they can take on our lives. This leads many people never to discover their most crucial friend.
The Distraction From Your True Friend
Despite the distractions that come from various relationships, according to our verse, there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Solomon does not say there are many friends but "a friend". This friend is unique and special and can be hard to find. Who is this friend?
This friend is none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His love surpasses all earthly relationships and sacrifices, as demonstrated by the profound example of His unconditional love and sacrifice for us.
The Demonstration By Your True Friend
Reflecting on the story of a twin brother who selflessly gave his blood to save his sister's life, it becomes evident that the bond of sibling love is remarkable. The story goes that a little girl who was operated on needed O- blood. The doctors didn't have any available, but her twin brother was O- blood. The doctor explained to him that it was a matter of life and death. He sat quietly for a moment and then said goodbye to his parents. The doctor didn't think anything of it until after he took his blood, and the boy asked, "So when will I die?" He thought he was giving his life for hers.
This is a touching story, but what caused the boy to give his life for his sister was their relationship. They were siblings!
However, Jesus's love transcends even the deep earthly connection of family. Jesus loved you before the foundations of the earth were laid. You fell in Adam, but He did not stop loving you. He sent His preachers to you, and you rejected them, yet He still loved you.
He came to earth as a sacrifice for you, but you have yet to receive Him, and yet He still loves you. He hung cursed by your sin on the cross of Calvary, and yet He still loves you.
He saved you through His precious blood, and even though you've turned back to sin, He still loves you. Jesus demonstrated His love toward us "...in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!"
There is no Friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one, no not one. If any of us were to treat one of our earthly friends like we treat God, that friendship would end immediately, yet God continues to pursue a relationship with us! Oh, how excellent is the love of God! "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."
The depth of Jesus' love is truly remarkable. Despite our shortcomings and failures, He remains a constant presence in our lives. No earthly friend could ever compare to His unwavering love and friendship. As Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." And indeed, He laid down His life for each and every one of us.
Closing Thoughts
In light of this extraordinary love, Jesus also extends the offer of friendship to us. He asks us to follow His teachings and desires a meaningful relationship with each of us - Jesus said, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
If I had a friend who hated sports, I wouldn't take him to a ball game for his birthday. If I had a friend who hated the color pink, I wouldn't buy him a pink shirt. Just as we consider our friends' preferences and feelings, we can honor and reciprocate the love that Jesus has shown us.
God has condemned all forms of sin. Christ died for all sins, external and internal, spiritual and physical, sins of omission (not doing what is right) and commission (doing wrong). To prove our love and friendship for Jesus Christ, we should live according to godliness, forsaking our sinful nature.
Amidst the complexities of earthly friendships and the demands they entail, let us not forget the matchless friendship of Jesus. His love remains steadfast and enduring, offering us hope and grace beyond measure.
Are you embracing the friendship that Jesus offers? Have you considered the depth of His love for you? Take a moment to ponder and appreciate the unparalleled friendship of the Savior, who is always there for us, no matter what.
"...there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
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