A True Friend

One of the most renowned proverbs in Spanish asserts, “dime con quién andas, y te diré quién eres”, which translates to “tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are”. This age-old Spanish saying conveys the idea that a person’s character and actions can be inferred from the company they keep. Friends play a pivotal role in our social lives, contributing significantly to our achievements. Oftentimes, friends share similar mindsets, societal standing, and interests. However, there are also individuals who seek friendship primarily to alleviate their loneliness, leading them to form associations with unsuitable companions. Some people cultivate friendships to bolster their own status and garner assistance, often without reciprocating the support they receive. We can never know who is genuinely our friend and who is simply with us to derive something.

A Friend In Need

A genuine friend is indeed the one who stands by us in times of need. Jesus illustrated this by sharing the parable of the Good Samaritan. When no one else came to the aid of the injured traveller, the Good Samaritan became a neighbour and a true friend by offering assistance without expecting anything in return. It is true that each of us requires support during our challenging periods. In another parable, Jesus presented the story of a clever manager who sought someone to take him in after losing his current position.

Joseph depended on his companion, a fellow prisoner, to intercede with the king on his behalf but as soon as he got, his friend forgot all about Joseph. Oftentimes, our friends prove unreliable when we place sole reliance on them. Certain individuals actively seek opportunities to dissuade and impede our spiritual development. The four friends of Job serve as a prime example of this behaviour. The nature of a friendship is cultivated based on circumstances and the time invested in the relationship.

In the Bible, we encounter the tale of David and Jonathan, who exemplify true friendship as Jonathan rises to the occasion to protect his friend from the wrath of his father. This profound friendship stemmed from Jonathan’s ability to discern the will of God.

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

1 Samuel 18:1-3 (NIV)

Jesus And His Friendship

The reason for Jesus befriending us remains shrouded in mystery. Through discerning the will of His Father, Jesus befriended us to save us from the wrath of His Father. This motive for friendship does not align with our typical reasons for cultivating relationships. Despite being filled with glory, Jesus selflessly abandoned everything to save us from eternal death. Even though we had little in common with Jesus, He chose to befriend us, setting aside His own glory. Jesus understood that we could not reciprocate His grace, yet He still poured out His grace upon us. He endured the suffering and loneliness of the Cross in order to free us from our fears, bearing the weight of our sins. Fully aware of our weaknesses, He befriended us and did not hesitate to bear the shame of becoming one among us, the sinners.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)

Jesus Calls Us Friends

Our acquaintances in this world often hesitate to acknowledge our friendship when they rise to positions of wealth or status. Some individuals go as far as to disavow their association with us when in the company of the elite. However, Jesus refers to us as friends, declaring, ‘I share with you everything I have seen, heard, and received from my Father.’

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 15:15 (NIV)

For a period of time, Jesus relinquished His sonship to impart His sonship to us. Jesus fulfilled all our requirements for adoption so that we can become like Him and have the same relationship with His Father. Therefore, the Father readily accepts us as His children.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

John 1:12-13 (NIV)

Our Response To His Friendship Offer

Are we not turning away from our friendship with Jesus, just as our friends turn away from us out of fear of being mocked as they become wealthy, or out of embarrassment to acknowledge our friendship with Jesus, especially when we are among those who do wrong?

Peter, who lived in close physical proximity to Jesus for over three years and intimately shared in all aspects of Jesus’ life, hesitated to acknowledge his friendship with Jesus when confronted by Jesus’ enemies. Despite this, Jesus, knowing Peter’s shortcomings, prayed to His Father for Peter to experience comprehensive love, fully understanding his weaknesses.

The bonds we nurture within our community frequently compel us to hide or renounce our association with Jesus, due to the apprehension of facing ostracism from our community leaders. At times, we are hesitant to divulge our affinity with Jesus, fearing the loss of our status as congregants. The community leaders instil this fear among the members by imposing rules and regulations that indirectly or directly compel them to relinquish their relationship with their Saviour in exchange for privileges.

Knowing our weakness, Jesus, who prayed to continue His friendship with Peter, is also praying for us to overcome this overwhelming fear and to wholeheartedly embrace His friendship in every aspect of our lives.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Luke 22: 31 (NIV)

Understanding Friends And Their Prayers

There are prayer fellowships in our community, but no one knows our future challenges to pray for. Even if our prayer warriors are aware of our problems, they are only human and cannot continuously lift up their prayers to God. Additionally, envy and jealousy sometimes consume them, causing them to judge us instead of interceding on our behalf.

Some individuals fervently pray for healing or deliverance, but when the illness or trouble persists, they lose their dedication. Many pray for others only to earn notoriety by showing empathy and later exploit this identity for personal gain. Despite portraying themselves as praying for God’s will to be done in people’s lives, the majority ultimately succumb to the situation. The prayer group gathered at Mark’s house provides a striking example of this behaviour. Although they prayed for Peter’s release from jail, they firmly believed that Herod would execute him and were unwilling to accept Peter in his physical form.

Understanding Jesus and His Prayers

Jesus continuously intercedes for us, fully aware of our weaknesses and forthcoming challenges. He steadfastly remains by our side, never abandoning us in the face of persisting problems or when we are disheartened by our circumstances.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

While the two disciples despaired of Jesus and fled to Emmaus, Jesus still accompanied them. When the disciples concealed themselves in a closed room, He entered to bring them peace. When a patient waited thirty-eight years for help from people, Jesus appeared to heal him. When Martha and Mary lost their brother, He arrived to restore their brother’s life. When people pronounced a twelve-year-old child dead, He arrived to bring her back to life for her parents. Jesus instructed His disciples to remain in Jerusalem and await the impartation of strength.

When we accepted eternal death as the consequence of our transgressions, He bore our sins and delivered us from eternal damnation. He extends His companionship to us, standing by our side to safeguard the salvation He bestowed upon us and guide us towards eternity. Let us welcome Him as our true friend and dedicate our lives to Him so that He would help us to strengthen our friends in His comradeship.

And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

Luke 22:31b (NIV)