Christmas Candle Scripture 17 – Friend

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

One of the things that we keep getting reminded in church is that Jesus Christ is our friend. If you’ve never believed that before, look at this scripture and think about it again. Jesus Christ died on the cross for us so that we could return and live with our Father again. He paid the ultimate price and made the only sacrifice allowable so we could do that. He wouldn’t have done that if He didn’t love us and consider us his family and friends. 

Looking at Jesus Christ’s example, are we that kind of friend to our friends? Are we there when they need someone to talk to? Are we available when they need someone to lean on? Do we uplift them when they are down, encourage them when they struggle, rejoice with them when they have something to be joyful about and spend special times with them? Are we there for them when they need a shoulder to cry on? Do we listen when they just need to talk? Do we remember things that are important to them? Do we lend a hand without having to be asked? Do we forgive them their imperfections? Do we forgive them when they get mad at us? Do we apologize when we get mad at them? Do we make amends when we hurt their feelings? Do we make time for them? Do we treat them like the friend we want to have?

That is the kind of friend Jesus Christ is to us. I can just imagine if He were actually here, calling Him on the phone and telling Him about the grades I just got and how excited I am to have gotten all A’s the past three semesters. I can see Him cheering and laughing and being my biggest congratulator. If I called Him when I was sad, I can see Him listening to me and then giving good advice while being encouraging and uplifting. I can see Him hugging me when I’m down and laughing with me when I’m happy. And I can see Him encouraging me to be better and loving me when I make mistakes.

It’s hard to be a friend like Jesus Christ would be, with our busy lives and families, but we can do our best to be a good friend when we can. I’m not a perfect friend and make a lot of friendship mistakes, but I’m still trying. That’s what is important. We can be sincere in our efforts to be good friends and help out when we are available. If we truly love our friends, for who they are and as children of God, we can create some very special relationships with them.