JESUS MY GOOD FRIEND

John 15:5 - "I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known unto you."

History explained that when  Michael Angelo was in the peak and climax of his fame, a boy named Raphael was trained and prepared to be his worthy successor. He was selected and introduced  to him as a promising pupil to continue on his legacy as the prominent painter of all time. At first Raphael was employed and given the simplest duties of the studio like cleaning brushes and mixing paints and even taking out the trash and other chores. But as Raphael developed the qualities of discipline,  exactness, punctuality, obedience, and sympathy, he was entrusted with increasing responsibility and the most complex task of painting. His dedication and reliability made him Michael Angelo's friend and confidant. It is the same entrustment for us as we come to Christ, first, as redeemed from the slavery of Satan, to be His servants and to become Jesus' best friends and acquaintances.

A friend will reveal himself to us before we accept him. All the world may suppose that it knows a famous man, but after all, if he calls us his friend, we expect to get closer to him and hear from his own lips items of confidential information. Thus it is with the Lord Jesus. He manifests Himself to those who love Him, and keep His word, as He does not to the world.

A friend will interest his friends in his undertakings. It is a joy to Christ when those whom He loves are able to take a share in His world-wide redemptive schemes and missions. For us, of course, it is a high honor, but it is as great a pleasure and delight to Him as to have the pleasure of working with with us to fulfill His mission before He comes back again. In other word, It is wonderful that Jesus is glad to have us as His fellow-workers.

A friend will be interested in our failures and successes. Not otherwise is it with our Lord. When He sees our vulnerability and shortcomings, does He not make the trial-hour one of special intercession? If we fail, He meets us with the same tender affection, not alienated from us, but only intensely sorry, ready to point out the cause of our failure and to encourage us to try again. If we stand our ground, He meets us as we come forth from the fight, gladly for us, eager to refresh us in our weariness, and careful to heal any wound that we may have received.

Such is the Friendship of Jesus. He is always the same, His love never fades and  its manifestations are never faint. Is it not worthwhile to make every effort so to keep His commandments that our entire abandonment to Him may induce His entire abandonment to us?

Heavenly Father, we pray that Jesus Christ may become dearer to us. May we love Him as a personal Friend, and hide ourselves in the hourly consciousness of His presence. May we have no taste or desire for things which He would disapprove. Let His love constrain us not to live unto ourselves, but to His glory.

Thank You Jesus for being our good friend:

Taniela Fonua (Lapaifonua)