October 15, 2019
What a Friend
One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:24
Jesus is exactly what the Pharisees accused Him of being, a friend of sinners.  Jesus said, “Greater love has no one then this that someone lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:13-14)  Jesus plainly tells us in His teaching when someone loses something, or someone, they love and care about they don’t merely forget about it, rather they go looking for it. (Luke 15:4)  This is what Christ did for us.  We all like sheep had gone astray (Isaiah 53:6) and were enemies of God. (Romans 5:10 )  We were lost in sin and had no place in God, yet Jesus came looking for, and found, us.  He showed His love by laying down His life for us, freeing us from our sins through his blood (Revelation 1:5), and welcoming us back. 
We may find ourselves having many friends in this world, but we have all been let down, or even wronged, by those whom we relied and depended upon.  In contrast, Jesus promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5); He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother. 
If you have never known that level of friendship, from the greatest friend that a man could have, I encourage you to listen to what Jesus said and do what He commands.  Lay down your life and surrender to Jesus as Lord, He will redeem you and welcome you back like an old friend.
Lord, we thank you for the friendship that you have shown to us.  Even when we rebelled against you, and were enemies, You sought to find us and to redeem us.  We thank You for the love You poured out on the cross so that we could be saved.  Thank you for loving us and being a friend.  In Jesus name, Amen.