I have been watching the sitcom, "Friends," lately. There is much I don't like about the program (and I don't have time to go into that now). But I do appreciate that the six of them stuck together and supported one another through tough times.
I still remember a sermon from seminary professor, Glenn Nielsen. He referenced John 15:15 and pointed out something so profound that I had missed it every time I read that chapter. Jesus calls us friends! We think of Jesus is a variety of different ways - Savior, Redeemer, Teacher, Bread of Life, Prince of Peace, Immanuel. But have you ever thought of Jesus as a friend?
We sing it, don't we? "What a Friend We Have In Jesus,"all our sins and grief to bear..." What do we often do when we're troubled or need advice? We turn to a good friend. We have no better friend than Jesus. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for a friend." This is agape love, unconditional love. You can't be loved any more by Jesus than the love He has for you right now.
Today, be a friend to someone. The person who is grieving a loved one, who is troubled over a broken relationship, who is suffering because of a health diagnosis. Jesus says, "Love each other as I have loved you." Let that be your mission today!
