You may remember or have sung or still sing the old hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." While that's not a direct quote from Scripture, today's Gospel reading could well have been the inspiration.
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father."
There are so many aspects to our relationship with Jesus. He is Lord, Messiah, Master, Teacher, our brother and yes, our friend. Think about your relationship with your closest friends. You want to be with them, spend time with them. You speak with them frankly, share your deepest desires, laugh and cry with them. And even though they may not always approve of the things you do, they always love you. Is your relationship with Jesus like that? If not, think of things you can do to count Jesus among your closest friends.
Father, we thank you for the friendship of Jesus. May we draw ever closer to Him. Amen.
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Gus
I receive your reflections daily in my email and I always read and enjoy them. But this one really spoke to me . I have been struggling lately with my relationship with Jesus, mainly in my own head because of arecent divorce. I feel unworthy. But this really put it in perspective and helped me tremendously. Keep all you do.
Thank you and god bless you