I have a friend. I have a friend named Anne. We can go weeks, months, without talking and pick back up where we left off. I can tell Anne things that would make anybody else think I’m crazy, but she understands. She is also my prayer warrior.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Gwen. She is great at making connections and gathering resources. She responds to crisis with empathy. We have stuck with each other even when others have tried to tear us apart.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Laura. She is easily the most intelligent person I know and somehow manages to affirm me in ways that make me feel brilliant. She knows how to speak to me in ways that appeal to both my head and my heart. She has sat beside me (literally) through some of my most nerve-wracking days. She has stood for me when I’ve been treated unjustly.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Jim. He lives in heaven now. He was by far the best listener I have ever known. He may have been my biggest encourager too. He saw me as Jesus does and would remind me that He was rejoicing over me (Zephaniah 3:17). He also knew exactly when I needed a package of lemon Archway cookies sitting on my desk as a surprise to get me through the day. I haven’t had one since he passed away.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Judy. Judy and I share a disdain for unripe bananas. Some brown is best, it’s what makes them sweet. We can not see each other or speak for ages and then spend hours together on a road trip with no discomfort. I think the most special thing about her is that she has cried with me.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Elisa. She believes and affirms me. She doesn’t mind hearing my drama. She makes sure I do fun things. She is generous.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Bob. He is the closest I will ever to have to a big brother. He ribs me pretty good, but we can also join to rib somebody else even better. We can share a glance and understand each other with no words. He protects me. He goes to lengths (maybe it doesn’t seem so to him, but I know for a fact he has sacrificed his own comfort) to make me feel safe.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Beth. Beth is a hard worker, always available, and shows up even when I haven’t reached out to her in ages. She is a servant.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Rebecca. She is also my cousin. She found me when I needed her.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Shari. She is thoughtful with her giving. I have received boxes from her full of all sorts of things—food, items for sensory processing disorder, books, things she’s picked up at a thrift store so I can make my kids exactly what they want for Halloween. She even called all around from her home in Pennsylvania to have mashed potatoes delivered to me in Michigan when I was sick once.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Beth, another Beth. We have a shared experience and she has been available to listen, to understand, to share wisdom, and to advocate.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Bonnie. She never fails to make me laugh. She uses her life experience to help me on my journey. She will talk to me for hours when I am lonely.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Sheryl. In the three years we have know each other, we have been through some pretty intense stuff. If love can be fierce, then that’s how she loves me. She can be frustrated with me to no end (I can be with her too) but treat me unjustly and you will see fire appear in her eyes. She can also be tender. She is the only one I will let touch my head (hair). She has held me and stroked my head as tears run down my face. She trusts me, which I think is an honor.
I have a friend. I have a friend named Jesus…
Lots of people call Jesus their friend, and rightfully so. In the Bible, God, and later Jesus as the incarnation of God, is referred to as a friend or refers to us or others as His friends.
The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. (Exodus 33:11)
“But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:8-10)
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. (James 2:23)
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:13-15)
The problem is, friend is not a title we lift up in the United States. Sure, many of us have good friends that we value very much, but at the same time, we use the word for people who are mainly acquaintances. I think we treat friendship as disposable too. We keep friends for a season to meet our needs and then discard. I don’t think it’s always as intentional or as selfish as it sounds, but something that seems natural as we drift apart because of changes in life. With this definition of friendship, calling Jesus friend seems like a sweet sentiment, but without a whole lot of meaning. It gives a picture of somebody we casually shoot the breeze with. Sure, we can do this with Jesus, but there is so much more.
Notice those verses above. Do you remember the kind of relationship God had with Abraham and Moses who were called His friends? Covenant relationship. Yes, God made covenant with his FRIENDS. We generally reserve that kind of relationship for marriage, but God made it with FRIENDS. And what about Jesus? He DIED for His FRIENDS! To God/Jesus, friendship is serious business. Friends are those you have binding relationships with, friends are worth giving your life for.
I started this blog with a list of SOME of my friends and just a few of their qualities. Put all these qualities together, and there is just a glimpse of what I mean when I call Jesus my friend. He isn’t just my buddy, He is someone I revere, because that is what I do to a friend.
I have a friend. His name is Jesus. He understands. He prays for me. He is empathetic. He has all the resources. He is loyal, faithful. He thinks I am smart. He appeals to my head and my heart. He sits beside me. He stands for me. He encourages. He knows my needs. He weeps with me. He affirms me. He listens to all the crazy. He provides. He protects me. He makes me feel safe. He is available. He is a servant. He found me. He is thoughtful (intentional) in His gifts to me. He has lived this life. He is wise. He is my advocate. He makes me smile. He walks with me. He talks with me. His love is fierce and tender. He entrusts things to me.
Of course, Jesus is even more. He is Creator. He is Sovereign. He is the Son of God. He is God. He is Almighty. He is Messiah. He is Redeemer. He is Savior. He is Healer. He is…He is!
I don’t know where you’re at with Jesus, who you think He is, who you call Him, but this is a great time to think about it. We are in a season called Lent, a time to reflect on who Jesus is and what He has done in preparation of soon celebrating His resurrection. I pray that you find Him a wonderful friend as I do.
To my friends, those who I have mentioned and all others, thank you for reflecting the greatest friend. And because I just can’t help it, I’ll leave you with a hymn, What a Friend 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!
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?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there. (Joseph Scriven, 1855)