"A Friend Indeed"

“A Friend Indeed”

 

In 1991 the Lord took Karen’s 94-year-old grandfather Home to be with Himself. At the funeral service I shared a few memories of Grandpa, some of which recalled his dry sense of humor. One incident took place shortly after Karen’s grandmother’s Homegoing in 1985. Karen, Dave, Kristie, and I, along with Karen’s two great aunts, were visiting with Grandpa when a neighbor came by. In his introductions he said, “These are my relatives. They can’t help it!” The family has chuckled about this ever since.

By his tongue-in-cheek comment Grandpa was paraphrasing the old adage, “You can pick your friends but not your relatives.” I once used this saying in a Sunday School class as we discussed the relationship of Joseph with his brothers. Since then I’ve reflected on Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 15:14-16: “You are my friends…I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends…You did not choose me, but I chose you….” Think about this: Jesus chose us as His friends, not because He was stuck with us but because He wants us to fellowship with Him. He values the relationship He has with us that much! How much do we value it?

If we’ve received Christ as Savior we have the right to be called God’s children (“…To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God….”—John 1:12). Our Lord has made this bond even more special by identifying us as His friends. Solomon wrote, “…There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24). Our Friend Jesus is there when no one else is. Let’s be thankful for His true, unwavering friendship.

Blessings!

Jim McMillan