Message summary: What a joy today to have a friend in Jesus. This is a friendship we can mutually share. Wherever you live, whatever conditions you are dealing with, this friendship is steady and enduring. Indeed, "What A Friend We Have In Jesus".

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“I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).

Sunday we sang "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", a song sung by multiple generations all over the world. How many of you remember singing it as a child? It prompts our consideration today of friends.

Through technology we have the opportunity to be connected with far more people than previous generations which is a positive thing. Last night we visited with Craig and Barbara Stanford from Magnolia Texas, some new friends, who joined us for dinner. They are visiting our area and yesterday went on a "Covered Bridge" tour and today will visit some of the Amish sites in eastern Lancaster County. They have been Daily Encouragement readers for many years and wanted to and meet us in person at a local restaurant but when it is possible we prefer to have them join us here in our home. We are always happy to meet our readers in person!

But in the last several years technology has also cheapened the meaning of friendship. Now associations, however minimal, are referred to as “friends”, such as on Facebook whereas in the past they would have been at best “acquaintances”, which the online dictionary defines as "Knowledge of a person acquired by a relationship less intimate than friendship".

I was talking to a man who is an avid fan of auto racing. I mentioned a famous driver and he told me he was his friend. I said, “O really, how do you know him?” He said, “were friends on Facebook”.

The term “friendship” is especially cheapened when the word is used for political purposes. Years ago (2012) I heard an interview with a politician speaking of how a political rival was such a good friend. The interviewer then played a tape of him calling this very rival a pig! Genuine friends don’t call me a pig (Editor’s note: not in front of others, at least)!

This is a longtime problem illustrated by the expedient pseudo friendship between Herod and Pilate at the trial of Jesus; “And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other” (Luke 23:12).

We are blessed with many friends, collected over our nearly 70 years of living. My longest term continuous friend is David Simpson whom I met in 1st grade. I am appreciative of technology that connects us more easily and doesn’t break the piggy bank in doing so (as in the past when long distance calls cost a small fortune). We are pleased to know many of our readers as friends and of course since Brooksyne and I have been married over 48 years most of our friends are mutual.

But today let us consider One whom we reckon as our best friend. Many see Proverbs 18:24 as an allusion to this Friend, “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”.

Many years ago I recall a prayer gathering with a group of ministers. The service was themed with various segments of prayer for specific needs. In between the prayer times the worship leader led us in a selection of music which was also themed. I was especially touched when he led in a hymn and several choruses dealing with our endearing, enduring friendship with Jesus Christ. We sang, “What a Friend we have in Jesus”, “What a Friend I’ve Found”, and “He Knows My Name”. As we gathered around the altar singing these songs I was filled with the peace and assurance that is my rightful inheritance and began to weep as God reminded me of His steadfast love and care.

In the daily Scripture text Jesus is speaking to His disciples: "I have called you friends".  This was during his final hours and His final teaching before He died for our sins. He does not use the designation “friends” often in the Gospels. It seems He wants to use this endearing term at this time to describe His relationship with the disciples as each of them faced such a dark time ahead.

There are many songs that describe our friendship with Jesus. Some of you will recall songs like “Friendship with Jesus, fellowship divine…”, “I’ve found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me” or “I’ve found a Friend, Who is all to me”. And still one more, “There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus…”

What a joy today to have a friend in Jesus. This is a friendship we can all mutually share. Wherever you live, whatever conditions you are dealing with, this friendship is steady and enduring. Indeed, What A Friend We Have In Jesus".

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we thank You that in Jesus we’ve found an enduring Friend for all eternity. One who laid down His life that we might be raised to newness of life. There’s no friend on earth that can provide the constant companionship we experience with Christ through prayer, the Scriptures, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit residing in our hearts; in the good times and the bad, during the testings and temptations common to all. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one, not even one. Thank You for this wondrous gift we celebrate of Jesus coming to earth in the flesh to dwell among us and to show us the more excellent way. Amen.

"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"  Watch on YouTube  This is from our service this past Lord's Day (This should be cued to where the song begins unless the tech team edits to video to trim off the front bumper.)