“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:13-14)
We all have friends. Some we are closer to than others.
There are friends, and then there is that one friend.
You know, the one you can confide in and talk with about anything. The one who listens well and is empathetic, maybe even sympathetic. The friend that is dependable – seemingly always there when you need them – even when they are busy, they make time for you. They are honest and someone you can trust. You really enjoy their company…
How would you like to have the greatest friend ever?
How about being a friend of the Creator of the universe – the Lord Jesus Christ? The Bible says, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). In another place we read, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)
To be a friend of Jesus, we need to trust Him and obey what He commands. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14)
One such command is that we must believe the gospel. What is the gospel? It can be partially summed up in this one verse – “…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The Lord Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24) and “…Because I live, ye shall live also.” (John 14:19)
Being crucified, He demonstrated his great love for you and me. God’s wrath against sin was poured out on him. Jesus became our substitute and suffered, bled and died on the cross for our sins. Truly, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends!” (John 15:13)
Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:5-7),
He is saying that we MUST be born again. We need a new spiritual birth.
Are you “born again?”
Will you obey His command – “Ye must be born again?”
He is anxiously waiting and desires you to be His friend. It begins with believing the gospel message.
What a Friend that He gave his life so we might live!
Can you say you are a friend of Jesus?
You surely can simply by believing, embracing Him as your Lord and Savior!
Softly and tenderly
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.
Refrain:
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home! (lyrics by Will L. Thompson)