What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Greater love has no one than this:

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:13

Since the 1950’s a cartoon known as “Peanuts” has brought laughter and wisdom to millions of readers. Charlie Brown is the main character, but there are other delightful characters as well. One such character is Charlie Brown’s friend, Lucy. In one cartoon, Charlie Brown and Lucy are sitting together in a chair watching TV. The announcer says, “All is right with the world.” Charlie Brown turns to Lucy and asks what that means. Her smug reply is, “All is right with the world when Lucy’s here!”  

That cartoon reminds me of a dear friend that I have. We have been friends since childhood. She means a lot to me, and spending time with her can make it seem that “all is right with the world.” It is a blessing to have friends who care for us and encourage us. Everyone longs for those friendships, but eventually all earthly friendships come to an end.  

As believers we have an eternal Friend who will never leave us. That Friend came to earth as a tiny baby over two thousand years ago. That tiny baby was God made flesh to dwell among us. His name was Jesus. When we ask Jesus to live in our hearts, the love relationship and friendship begins and never ends. One of these days we will live eternally in Heaven with our Friend, Jesus.  

The great hymn writer, Joseph Scriven, was a man who knew about this special friendship that could make “all right with the world.” Scriven overcame many trials and heartaches, but he could face each one because of his eternal friendship with his Lord Jesus. This assurance led him to write the beautiful hymn, What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Are you in need of a friend today? Jesus is the friend we need. He is always there for us – caring, listening, and loving. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is always the same – our stability – the Rock!

As the song reminds us,

Can we find a friend so faithful; Who will all our sorrows bear?

Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Son, our Friend Jesus. How glad I am that He will never leave me. He is my “forever friend”.  What a friend I have in Jesus!

Janet