“And they say, ‘Here is a Friend…'” Matthew 11:9
Perhaps this is the most intimate and personal title of our Lord, that He is a Friend! So much is conveyed in this title. Jesus is One that we can trust. He is a supporter and comforter, a confidant and One Who stands beside us through thick and thin, through the good and the bad. This title was given in the context that Jesus was a Friend of “tax collectors and sinners,” the most despised of the community. It was a backhanded compliment insinuating that He too was One to be despised because of His associations. Jesus was not called just a Friend to the righteous and godly, but to those who were viewed in a negative light.
Our human friendships are often fickle and conditioned on temporary emotions and situations. How easily we lose friendships because of petty issues. We are often more willing to forgive a stranger or acquaintance than we are to forgive someone we’ve known a long time or who is even part of our family. When times are tough or feelings have been hurt, we are ever ready to end the relationship and build a grudge.
How different our friendships are from Jesus’ love. He is always ready to forgive, to seek resolution, to welcome us back. And all of this as the One Who has been wronged and insulted, rejected and despised. He has every right to hold a grudge and turn His back on us, and yet, He never does. It is just the opposite, He welcomes us back without hard feelings or resentment.
How much we need this kind of friendship today! A friendship extended to us and a friendship we can extend to others, all for the sake of reconciliation. This can only be possible in a fallen world as we first receive the Lord’s forgiveness for our failures and become friends with God once again. This then empowers us to extend forgiveness and love and a godly friendship to others. We then can love only because He first loved us.
I think you may already know the hymn I’m going to quote, it is a favorite of mine and I pray that this day we all take it to heart.
“What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.”
Know that you are loved!
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Kilian