By Colleen Podmore
At home, we have a new friend living with
us. He is very loyal to us, always happy to see us when we turn up, no matter
what the hour. He always comes to greet us and accepts the odd rebuke and is
always forgiving. His name is Jimmy and he is a puppy.
I called him a friend – but is this
correct? Can a dog be a friend? Can an animal be a friend?
Strictly speaking, no, because the
definition of a ‘friend’ is a person with whom one has a bond of
mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relationships. I
may experience this bond of mutual affection with an animal but they are not
people so they are more companions than friends.
I know a couple who have been friends for
about 10 years and are now more than friends. They are still friends but a
better description of their changed relationship is they are boyfriend and
girlfriend. A friend is someone exclusive of sexual relations.
At the place where I work there are about
80 people that I know. I wouldn’t describe them as friends – more like
acquaintances.
I, like you have many relations scattered
around the country and world. They are relatives, some may be friends as well
but not because they are relatives.
The term ‘friend’ is often used very generally
to describe many relationships and in some sense I think that the idea behind
the word is lost. Having friends and being a friend is one of the most
important relationships for people. You may be an orphan and single and still
be blessed because a friend is always possible.
A friend is a person with whom one has a
bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual and family
relationships. A friend is someone with whom we have common interests. Friends
do things together, care about each other. Anyone can be a friend and can have
friends.
What do we look for in friends? What sort
of friend do we want to be?
Do we cultivate friends who push us nearer
to God, spurring us on to love and good deeds.
And are we friends like that?
In conclusion, it says in John 15:13 ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he
lay down his life for his friends”
Jesus laid down his life on a cross for his
friends – that’s you and me.
Our friend Jesus has asked us to remember
Him in only one way and that is through His death on the cross, the bread we
eat represents His body broken on the cross, a substitute for our sin, taking
the penalty of our sin on Himself, giving His life as a ransom for many.
‘Greater
love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends’
We also take the cup, representing his
life. The Bible says that life is in the blood (Lev 17:11). His life given for
our redemption. What a friend we have in Jesus.
Let us never neglect our friends and our
friend Jesus is particular
Lord we thank you for your sacrifice on the
cross for our sin. We have come now to specifically remember that and thank you
for dying in our place.
Please bless both the bread and the juice
as we eat and drink together,
In Your Name Jesus, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment