FRIEND

 

FRIEND

The Meaning of Friendship in Christ

Jesus is not just our Lord and Master; he is the greatest friend, having demonstrated his friendship through his sacrificial death on the cross. This profound act has earned him the friendship of countless men and women throughout history and around the globe.

The Hebrew word Ahab (Ay-HAB) translates to “friend,” while the Greek word philos (FEE-los) also means “friend” or “relative.” Appearing twenty-eight times in the New Testament, philos reflects the close bond among believers united by their faith in Jesus. This word is connected to phileo, the most general term for “to love” in the New Testament, and to philema, meaning “a kiss.” Early Christians greeted one another with a holy kiss, symbolizing their deep connection.

John’s Gospel highlights that Jesus called his disciples his friends. Notably, Jesus had both male and female friends, distinguishing himself from many men of his time. Additionally, Luke addressed his Gospel to Theophilus, meaning “friend of God.” The term “friends” has also persisted as a name for members of the religious group known as Quakers.

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Praying to Our Friend

One steamy summer night, I was chatting with a friend on the phone when a shadow darted across my living room. “Sandy, there’s a bat in the house. Gotta go!” I hung up and scrambled to the kitchen, away from the potential chaos.

Having spent $500 on bat mitigation the previous year, I was frustrated to find another one inside. “Jesus, help me!” I prayed. I cautiously returned to the living room, turning on lights, hoping the brightness would incapacitate the bat. No luck.

Grabbing a towel, I attempted to swat the creature. Suddenly, it flew upstairs, and I feared it might enter one of my children’s rooms. I prayed again, “Jesus, won’t you please help me!” I rushed to the windows, opened the blinds, and removed the screens, desperately hoping the bat would find its way out. But it returned to the living room.

What could I do? I ran to the basement, grabbed a blanket, and returned to the living room, pleading, “God, I don’t know what to do. Please help me get rid of this bat!” I made several attempts to throw the blanket over it, but nothing worked.

Sweating profusely, I could only imagine how I looked to anyone passing by—a woman wildly flailing her arms in her living room.

Then the doorbell rang, making my heart race. Who could be at my door at 10:30 at night? Peering through the window, I was relieved to see my friend Sandy.

“Where’s the bat?” she asked upon entering. “Let’s prop the door open. Maybe it will fly out.” With confidence, she stepped into the house. “There it is!” She spotted the bat clinging to the window covering. “Isn’t he cute? Do you have a towel or something I can use to grab him?”

As my brave friend reached for the bat, it swooped across the living room one last time and then flew out the front door!

What a friend! Sandy had rescued me from panic and my children from potential danger! Later, I learned she had been dressed for bed when I called. Upon realizing my predicament, she quickly got dressed and drove over to help.

Though I usually pride myself on handling challenges, my self-reliance faltered in the face of a bat. In my fear, I had prayed, asking Jesus for help. He answered my prayer by sending my dear friend to the rescue.

Jesus, thank you for your friendship, for delivering us, and for hearing our prayers. Thank you for connecting us with so many of your friends worldwide. Because of you, we are never alone.

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Promises Associated with the Name

“A friend always loves, and a brother is born to share trouble.”
— Proverbs 17:17

“Perfume and incense make the heart glad, but the sweetness of a friend is a fragrant forest.”
— Proverbs 27:9

“I don’t call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. But I’ve called you friends because I’ve made known to you everything that I’ve heard from my Father.”
— John 15:15

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Reflection

The title Friend encapsulates Jesus' deep connection with us, illustrating a relationship that transcends authority. He demonstrates the ultimate friendship through his sacrifices and invites us into a community of believers, emphasizing that we are not alone in our struggles.

As we reflect on the significance of friendship in Christ, let us cherish the connections we have with one another and recognize that Jesus is always present, ready to support us through life's challenges. His friendship is a source of strength, encouragement, and love, reminding us that we are part of a larger family bound together by faith.