Friend

TRE WIGGINS

Scripture Readings: 

Matthew 11:19

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

John 15:12-17

This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 17 “This is what I command you: Love one another.

Commentary: 

A Friend of God

Perhaps you’ve heard the song before, “I am a Friend of God.” Sometimes, our singing can be rote, lifeless, or mundane. But think of these lyrics: “I am a friend of God, He calls me friend.” “Friend” is a word is chock full of relationship. It means that one has been brought close. A friend is no stranger, but is one who is loved and cared for. For all who are in Christ Jesus, who have received the gospel, this is their reality: A friend of God. 

What was meant to be an insult to Jesus was actually for our benefit: He was a “friend of sinners!” He would rather have no other company; to be sure, there is no other company. But His friends are those who know they are sinners and need of His life-transforming friendship. The relationship possible with Christ is like none other. No other Friend has the power to bring life from death. He does so for every sinner that calls upon His Name. Charles Spurgeon said it this way: “Your qualification to come to Christ is your lack of qualification.” Our friendship with Christ requires we set before Him all our sin, to be traded for His righteousness. What a friend we have in Jesus! 

Prayer & Reflection: 

Father, I bless your Name for calling me friend! Thank you that you did not save me, and then discard me. You have called me into your family, as friend. No longer an enemy, but brought in to be loved and cared for. I love you!