November 1, 2022 – Reflection on “The Ultimate Friendship!”

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:13-14.

         These are the words of our Lord Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus is our High Priest. Since then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens. Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:14-15. Fully man and fully Divine, Jesus is not an add-on, but One who understands the Devil’s lies.

         The third temptation in the wilderness, the Devil tried to tempt Jesus. Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.’” Matthew 4:8-10.

         Who is this Jesus? Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

         Jesus is our way to reach God, Jesus speaks truth, and Jesus teaches us how to live through Him. In today’s world, we may have a friend for a season. Facebook friendships last until we become offended. With Jesus as our ultimate Friend, He will never ‘block’ us, but forgive us.

         When Peter asked how often he should forgive, this is the answer Jesus gave. Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22.

         Forgiving others is as important as ‘daily bread’ in the Lord’s Prayer. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Luke11:3-4.

            Do we want forgiveness from Jesus? For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15.

         What did Jesus do at the Last Supper to show friendship? Jesus poured water into a basin and removed outer garments, and tied a towel around His waist, and He washed His disciples’ feet. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do, just as I have done to you. John 13:14-15.

         Our Ultimate Friend, Jesus, showed us His humility, and not as a creator of the world, but by washing the feet of his disciples. Often, I have contemplated washing someone’s feet.

         Our Ultimate High Priest, Jesus, said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you!” John 15:14.

         Then John 14 continues, 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. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. John 15:15-17.

         On what basis do we choose friends? Do we see as the world sees, or do we see as the Lord sees? “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7b.

         How many times have I played and sung the following hymn but didn’t understand the AWE of the Friendship we have in Jesus? What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! He chose us, teaches us, guides us, is our go-between God, and He is Truth. How often He renews my faith and I see another facet of His Love to bring me Joy and Peace each day.

         My daily prayer is this: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. (Lemmel).

        `You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4.

           But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33.