Jesus, Our True Friend

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 18:14-24

Proverbs 18:24 — A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

God promises true friendship. Jesus told the story of a young man who took his inheritance to a distant land. The young man probably attracted companions who were eager to help him use up his fortune. But once the money and good times were gone, the companions deserted the young man, who ended up working on a pig farm eating the same food the pigs ate.

We need to be discerning when choosing friends. Do people want to befriend us because we have something that they want? Or does someone want to befriend us because they care deeply for us and want brotherhood or sisterhood?

Some people want your companionship because you have money or power or fame. Some people want to be your friend for pleasure. Some people want you for your vote, your agreement with their cause, or your willingness to come under their influence. Once they get what they want from you, they will be quick to disappear when hard times come.

But Jesus is not a friend who will ever desert you (Hebrews 13:5). He will be closer than a real brother. He laid down His life for you (John 15:13). He is a friend who loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17). Jesus is a giver. The only things He takes from us are the things that would bring us to ruin. He took our sin and gave us His righteousness and eternal life at the cross.

This is why we need the cross in our relationships with each other. This is why we need Christ between us in our relationships. This is why we need the mind of Christ and the Holy Spirit governing our hearts. If we want to be a good friend to others and to develop healthy friendships, we need our lives to be centered in Jesus Christ, the true Friend of sinners.

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