Who is your dearest friend? How did they become that special relationship? Many would agree that special relationships develop over time, through shared experiences, common interests, comforting and reliable support. A friend is someone for whom can be counted on in the good times and the bad. The scripture passage describes the love relationship that Christ desires with all His children. He desires for all to draw near to Him, know Him, know the depth of His love, walk in fellowship Him, and to those He says, “I have called you friends.” Greater than service and sacrifice, Jesus befriended us with a sincere heart (Ps 51:16-17).

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

(Jn 15:13). Jesus committed the greatest act of friendship and demonstrated the depth of His love in laying down his life for the sin of the world. He did so willingly out of His desire for relationship with us. All who come to Him by faith receive eternal life and enter an eternal, everlasting friendship of His love. Friends of Jesus are friends to the Father. The Holy Spirit leads and guides us into a greater depth of friendship with the Father, if we value His friendship and will invest ourselves to His friendship. Just as a marriage cannot be fruitful and enjoyable without investment of both parties, friendship with God is an investment of ourselves to Him. My friend, will you give of yourself and invest in the friendship you have with Jesus? God desires that you know Him and His Son who He sent to save you from sin. Come to Him and know His friendship. Father thank You for Your love and the eternal, everlasting friendship of Your Son. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.