"Call Me a Friend"

“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer (What a Friend We Have in Jesus Hymn #279).”

Our oldest and closest friends are the sweet treasures of life. Mine goes back to eight years of age. We did what all friends should do: had sleepovers, dressed alike, played games, and talked on the phone until our parents told us to hang up.

Peer relationships are said to have as much, or in some stages of life, more influence than family or any other type of relationship. Jesus serves many roles to us as believers. An important and intimate role he plays, is a close friend. He proclaims, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends (John 15:15).”

Through friendships, you have each other to experience similar joys and trials. We essentially have someone to walk through this scary world called life. Jesus yearns for us to seek his counsel. He has experienced hardship and temptation, like we do on a daily basis. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are- yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).” There is no better life to emulate. Friends often act the same and make similar choices. Jesus hopes that we will live by his example.

At the beginning of my adult life, my family was presented with a challenge. I remember talking to my best friend on the phone, and she offered to come and comfort me when it was very late into the night. I have never felt more love from a friend in my entire life. This is beyond friendship. This reminds me of the type of relationship that our Savior and friend has laid before us. Jesus has offered his love. He has offered his guidance. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).”