We were made for more than the world and for more than human connection. We were made for divine connection and friendship. The Bible presents us with that opportunity through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Jesus is the Friend Who Knows
John 15:15 “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
Jesus invites us to see Him not merely as an earthly friend, but as something far better.
- Do you remember your best childhood friend? Mine was Charles Dorsey!
- Earthly friends, like Charles, love us, but not perfectly.
- Earthly friendships are a precious gift, but they are not the ceiling. They are reflections of something greater.
- Jesus says, “I have called you friends.” But His friendship means something deeper, truer, more enduring.
- He knows the whole history of the place we’re in. And on the other hand, only He knows the full roots of our joys, victories, and celebrations.
- He is the only Friend who, armed with full knowledge of the situation, can weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.
That kind of knowing is not just comforting; it’s liberating.
- Our words are vastly overrated sometimes. “Even before a word is on my tongue, you know it all together.”(Psalm 139:4).
- This week, I invited the Lord into my quiet inner place, my wordless place, and He met me there, not as a visitor, but as the One who already knew the room.
- What would it look like for you to acknowledge Jesus in your quiet place, whether its peaceful, joyful, perplexing or turbulent? That place of feeling or quietly trying to figure it out. He is there!
II. The Friend Who Seasons the Earth
Jeremiah 9:24“But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
- We look around and see injustice, cruelty, and brokenness. Is He really exercising these things?
- Yes, but in a fallen world, even the best reflections of God’s attributes are imperfect.
- The head of a household influences the household with the values that shape the culture of that family. But no matter how high the ideal, it’s never a perfect reflection. The kids still fight.
- “I remember one of my grandkids who had a habit of being bossy. Her mother overheard her interacting with her brother and called out, ‘Are you being bossy?’ She replied, ‘No, I’m just telling him what to do.’ She knew the family value. Her execution was just a bit off.
- God set the standard and influences our world, but our execution is off because of sin.
- The disciples argued about greatness. Jesus asked what they were discussing. Silence. They knew it wasn’t a reflection of His values. Their execution was off, too.
III. The Friend Who Reigns
Revelation 11:15 “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign for ever and ever.”
- The imperfections we see now are not the end of the story.
- We’ve never seen an administration the way Jesus will bring it.
- The closest we’ve come is when Jesus walked the earth.”
- But His kingdom was not of this world.
- His first mission was about our redemption. His second coming will be about His reign.
- His authority will extend to every corner of life, government, culture, relationships.
- Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.
- He will appear in stunning HD: Heavenly Definition.
- The One who walked with us will reign over us. And we’ll say, “That’s my Friend. That’s my King.”
God also exercises His friendship with us through others and when others walk away.
His presence, as our Friend for All Seasons, is literally heaven on earth/
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