What a Friend We Have in Jesus!

Scriptures: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business .Instead, I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)

Years ago, because of my job, we moved to Sacramento. It was a completely new place to us. Except the people in the office, we didn’t know anyone there. One day, in a family reunion, we ran into a relative who’s also a pastor. He knew a sister in the Lord in Sacramento and gave us her phone number. That phone number lead us to know the sister, her church and a group of loving brothers and sisters in the Lord.

I still remember how more than a dozen brothers came to help us move. They were so organized as though they were some kind of professional movers. Their love and sensitivity to the newcomers made us feel right at home in a strange land. More than that, the sisters there often came to help us, especially when our kids were still very young and required a lot of attention and caring. They invited my wife to their weekly and, almost daily, fellowship. Their love and dedication to the Lord not only warmed our hearts, but also brought us closer to our Lord Jesus and to each other.

In this day and age when people believe that the true interpretation of “A friend in need is a friend indeed” means friends are for the purpose of satisfying needs only, their testimonies reminded me of what Jesus said about His relationship with us. He said He no longer called us servants, but friends because He has made known things He learned from the Father to us.

Friends are more than acquaintances, nor are they merely companions. They are the people with whom we share our joy, our hurts, our hopes, and our supports. They are the people with whom we love to spend time, to discuss ideas, and to seek advices and counsels. They are the people who help us grow mature in every way and to grow closer to God. They are the ones to share our lives. Jesus did just that!

Through our friends in Sacramento, I have come to know our Lord Jesus as a friend in a much deeper sense. He is not only our friend, He sends people to our lives to be our friends also. What a friend we have in Jesus! Remember this hymn?

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we have forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He will take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou has promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear.
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer.
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

By Joseph Scriven, 1855


Prayer Requests:
Friends we’ve had and friends to have

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for taking and shielding us and for keeping us company where we may be. Who are we that You would consider us as Your friends! Help us to share such friendship with all those suffering in the hurting and lonely generation. In Your name, Amen!