Friends
I’m writing this at 37,000’ on my way to Pittsburgh with Claudia and a couple of dear friends, Dan and Marlys. We are off on a five day biking adventure on the Great Allegheny Passage. Dan and Marlys are easy to travel with and we count them as true friends.
Speaking of friends, the last night Jesus spent with his disciples before his arrest and execution was filled with emotion. An interesting slice of this can be read in John 15 when Jesus reframes his relationship with his close followers, and by extension, to us.
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father has told me.
There’s a lot there to unpack, but consider just the idea that Jesus calls them, and us, his friends. This must be a big deal to God for Jesus to cast our standing and relationship with him as a friendship. Most of us have plenty of acquaintances but few friends in the sense he is talking about. Let’s think about friends this morning.
A friend, first, is not an enemy. In enemy relationships, fear and distrust rule the day. Motives are questioned and the future is uncertain. A friend trusts. A friend believes what is told. Enemies look to take advantage, but friends find ways to help. You, as a Jesus-follower, traveled from far away from God to the land of friendship, and that’s not contingent on your earning anything. Your friend, Jesus, can be trusted and believed, and will stand close to help.
A friend tells the truth. My close friendships are not all rainbows and unicorns. There are tough times when my friend chooses, out of love, to deliver a hard message. Proverbs says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” I don’t need my friends to tip-toe around me as if our friendship is fragile enough to be threatened by confrontation. A true friend is committed to the best for the other, even when it’s hard. Being a friend of God carries the same dynamic. He wants the best for me and will deliver hard news if necessary to bring that about.
My true friendships are not transactional. They stand strong in relationship, and there is a delightful ordinariness to this. My friends are friends because we have worked on our friendship. It isn’t about what we can get out of each other but enjoying each other and doing meaningful stuff together. And the times when I have sniffed I was being used by another for some advantage for them, I resented it and quietly distanced myself from them. Jesus’ friendship is based in his love for you, and from the beginning of his ministry, he calls folks to be “with him.” Surely, out of that relationship comes blessings that flow from our friendship with him.
None of the disciples (and few of us) were particularly heroic and certainly not perfect, but Jesus invited them into his circle. That’s nice to know on our end! He welcomes us to come along on his adventures, in the midst of all our junk. And we would do well to not expect friends to never fail or disappoint. However, as much as we are accepted with all our flaws, Jesus stands as both hero and friend.
Friends invest themselves in the friendship. Our relationship with Jesus needs nurturing and growth. Spending time. Sharing life. Opening hearts. Imagine your faith life as a friendship with Jesus in which you can invest. Then translate that idea to your friend group. How are you investing in them?
So, consider your friendships. Take a minute to list them and remember them to God. Trust them with your stories. Tell them the truth. Build them up. Accept them, warts and all. Invest time nurturing the friendship.
If, today, loneliness seems your only friend, remember Jesus. He welcomes you. He invites you to walk life with him. He promises you his presence and care, and will run to your side when you need. You have a true friend in him.
And that, friends, is good news for a Tuesday.
Music time!
And a joke or 2wo
The Three Little Pigs went out to dinner one night. The waiter comes to take their drink order.
"I would like a Sprite," said the first little piggy.
"I would like a Coke," said the second little piggy.
"I want water, lots and lots of water," said the third little piggy.
The drinks are brought out and the waiter takes their orders for dinner.
"I want a nice big steak," said the first piggy.
"I would like the salad plate," said the second piggy.
"I want water, lots and lots of water," said the third little piggy.
The meals were brought out and a while later the waiter approached the table and asked if the piggies would like any dessert.
"I want a banana split," said the first piggy.
"I want a root beer float," said the second piggy.
"I want water, lots and lots of water," exclaimed the third little piggy.
"Pardon me for asking," said the waiter to the third little piggy, "but why have you only ordered water all evening?"
The third piggy says, "Well, somebody has to go wee, wee, wee, all the way home!"
__________
Got a letter from Grandma recently. She writes...
The other day I went up to a local Christian bookstore and saw a "Honk if you love Jesus" bumper sticker.
I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting, so I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper.
Boy, I'm glad I did! What an uplifting experience that followed!
I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good He is... and I didn't notice that the light had changed.
It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed!
I found that LOTS of people love Jesus! Why, while I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, "For the love of GOD! GO! GO! Jesus Christ, GO!"
What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus! Everyone started honking!
I just leaned out of my window and started waving and smiling at all these loving people. I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love!
There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something about a "sunny beach"...
I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air.
Then I asked my teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant, he said that it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something. Well, I've never met anyone from Hawaii, so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign back.
My grandson burst out laughing...why, even he was enjoying this religious experience!
A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me. I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed.
So, I waved to all my sisters and brothers grinning, and drove on through the intersection. I noticed I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and I felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared, so I slowed the car down, leaned out of the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away.
Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!
Grandma