Jesus, Our Friend
Scripture - John 11:1-34
In today's passage, we see Jesus in a different role. In addition to being Lord,Teacher, and Rabbi today we see Him as a Friend. He had a special relationship with Lazarus and His sisters Martha and Mary (vs. 5,36).
Before Lazarus died,Jesus as already knew the outcome. He knew Lazarus would "fall asleep" and He knew He would be the one to raise Him from the dead.
He had healed the sick and raised the dead many, many times before Lazarus' death. Yet this time we see a different reaction from Jesus than every before. Verse thirty-three says when Jesus saw Mary and the others weeping, "He groaned in the spirit and was troubled." Then it goes on to say in verse thirty-five, "Jesus wept."
Jesus felt the grief of Martha and Mary and reacted as any friend would and mourned with them (Romans 12:13). He was touched by what touched them (Hebrews 4:15).
Today, Jesus still serves in the capacity as Friend in all our lives. He feels what we feel. What concerns us concerns Him. Nothing we experience or go through here on this earth is separate from Him.
What an amazing Friend is that! Not only does He feel what we feel, go through what we go through, but He also fixes the situations when we allow Him to.
The old hymn goes...
What a Friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
Prayer is intimacy and intimacy is key to making any friendship work. Jesus is your Friend. Take your issues to Him in prayer and allow Him to fix it like only He can.
Journal
- What is your definition of a friend and friendship?
- How has Jesus proven to be a Friend to you over the years?
- Have you been a friend to Jesus in return?
- Spend time today meditating on Jesus as your Friend and receive His friendship in your life.
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. -Proverbs 18:24
Comments