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

A friend is defined as a person whom one knows and has a bond of mutual affection; someone that is dependable and even most of us are blessed with individuals who we have known for many years. . . these are the ones who know our  secrets, successes, failures and loves us anyway- and just be chance it is hard to find one on your list today…know that Jesus is that kind of friend! ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

In the upper room at the Last Supper, we find the account of Jesus  expressing the extent of His love for all mankind, and the type of love that we must show towards one another-He gently washed their feet, a display of humilty and servanthood. His ultimate servce to mankind was to lay down His life, not out of an immediate impending act from some dangerous situation or act of extreme circumstance that one would step into for another; but sacrificial love, that which is self-willed, foreknown and freely given, a love that exceeds what mere man could possibly understand. Romans 5: 6-7 states “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The bible renders that even while we were yet sinners or enemies of God, His love covered us, all for our benefit. Christ died on the cross that we may live forever! He is our forever friend; every born-again believer will live with Him now and throughout eternity. “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Hebrews 5:9.

My friends…yes, there is One who sticks closer than any brother, the One who has a name that is above all names, the Savior of this world, Jesus the Christ…He is that kind of friend.  Earthly friends have limitations by the constraints of this physical mind and body, but praise be to God, the precious blood that Jesus shed on Calvary’s Cross, reaches to the highest mountain, and flows to the lowest valley and He will keep us forever! “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:15.

If you are in need of a friend, I recommend Jesus!

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
  All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
  Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
  O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
  Everything to God in prayer!

Blessings and peace be with you all.