December 14, 2021

Tuesday

Closer Than a Brother

John 15: 13-15

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 18:24

The burgeoning world of social media has redefined the notion of friend—on one platform in particular. When that platform debuted in 2004, early users raced to accumulate as many friends as possible; high numbers were a status symbol. Then people realized most of their friends weren’t friends at all and they started “unfriending” (the word entered the dictionary in 2009). This process raised a good question which continues today: What is a true friend?

The Bible talks about friendship. Abraham and God were friends (Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23). Jonathan and David were friends (1 Samuel 18:1)—they were friends that were closer to one another than to their own brothers (Proverbs 18:24). These friendships imply something deeper than a blood connection—intimacy, love, and loyalty. The ultimate expression of such friendship was expressed by Jesus when He declared His disciples to be His friends for whom He was prepared to die (John 15:13-15). Jesus extends His hand (His life) of friendship to all who will accept His invitation.

A point to ponder…

Jesus has declared His friendship for us—His intimacy, love, and loyalty. It is up to us to do the same for Him. Friendship is a two-way relationship.

Read the Bible through in a year

2 Thessalonians 1-3

I love you!!!

© 2000-2021 B. Michael Goerlich