‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’–and what a great hymn!  I love to whistle it much to my poor wife’s consternation!  Have you read this section of John 15?   You hear Jesus’ words about friendship–‘You are my friends…’ and ‘…I have called you friends…'(vs. 14-15).  Can you imagine being God’s friend?  A personal friend to Jesus, the Risen Lord?   Let that sink in a bit.  Mull it over.

As I was reflecting on these verses, thinking about Jesus being my friend, another thought came to mind.  Jesus said, ‘you are my friends’.   Of course, He is our friend, the very best of all.  But this is what I was thinking–am I Jesus’ good friend?  Oh, I go for the idea that He loves me, that He’s my friend.  But what about how much I love Him?  Or what kind of friend am I… to Him?  How can we be His friend?  What pleases Him?  Frankly, I like it the other way around!  On the receiving end of all those goodies from God!  Sure, who wouldn’t?

But that kind of friendship is way too one-sided.  We all know what it feels like to be with ‘friends’ who can only talk about themselves.  Their ailments.  Their troubles.  All about them.  Showing little interest in you.  They’re ready and eager to jump into every conversation with one-upmanship.  Take a breath, and they leap right in with both feet to tell you their much better or worse story!  You know what I mean…and who!

Are we that way with God?  Always asking and bargaining and begging in prayer?  Talking about ourselves and our problems?  Not sharing Jesus with others?  Not speaking up about an issue when we know how God feels about it?  Rarely thanking or praising Him?

How about sitting quietly, with our Bibles open on our laps, listening to Him speak with us for a change.  That’s what a real friend would do.  Listening…being with our best Friend.   Are you a good friend to Jesus?  I ask myself the same.  I want to be.  Join me?  Friends of Jesus!

Prayer:  Lord, help me to focus more and more on you.  More praise in my prayers today.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.