October 29, 2017. John 11.

 

Shall we look at a beautiful picture of a healthy, loving friendship together!?

We open this chapter of John with a very sick Lazarus, and we read that Jesus is a close friend of the three siblings, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. 

• There is love in Friendship

(John 11:5) Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and Lazarus.

• Being in a close friendship, there is knowledge of what the other friend needs.

(John11:3) Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

The sisters really had no need to state their request on behalf of their sick brother to Jesus. Because of who He is and because of their close friendship, He already knew the need.

• Friends will take risks at their own expense for you.

(John 11:8) The Jews were threatening to stone Jesus, and yet He chose to return to Judea for his friends anyway.

• There is loyalty in Friendship.

(John 11:16) Thomas was willing to go with Jesus, even if it meant death for him.

• In healthy friendships there will be freedom to share glimpses into who we truly are in confidence.

(John 11:25) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.                          

This revelation from Jesus was shared at the time, only to Martha. 

• A true friend will believe in you.

(John11:27) She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the son of God, who is to come into the world.”

• In such a sweet friendship, there will be times of quiet weeping for one another.

(John 11:35) Jesus wept.

• There is a sense of safety among each other, in this kind of Friendship.

(John 11:54) Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples. 

• Jesus is our all-time, unequal friendship that is worth cultivating!
• Jesus will keep our eyes and life focused on Him to see the big picture.
• He will be the encouragement we need in the good times and the hard times.
• He understands us and what we will go through in this life.
• We can trust Jesus to walk alongside us to accomplish His plan.

Like the 1855 Hymn by Joseph Shriven that talks of a friendship with 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! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged-take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?

Let’s pursue the ultimate Friendship…..with JESUS!!!