What a Friend We Have in Jesus
There was a man who was a good husband and dad. He loved his family faithfully, was always around, steady, and took care of them. His influence, even if wasn’t realized, was central in everyone’s life.
But his family didn’t fully appreciate the scope of his love until one day when they found his journal. Upon opening it, they could see details of the backstory to their memories. Their happy experiences were intricately planned and carefully executed by the father. He even reflected on how glad he was that he gave his wife and children such joy.
When they could see the backstory, these previously hidden details, in the journal, the family was filled with a new kind of appreciation and love for their dad and husband. They were welcomed into the quiet place of his intentional planning and loving execution. They could see how they were central to everything that he had done. Thumbing through the journal, they realized his love for them engulfed his purpose for their entire experience.
Your Father in heaven’s love for you is carefully detailed, essential to everything he does for you, even if…. Even if you do not realize it… Even if… Even if you do not appreciate it… Even if… Even if you reject his love for you. Now the hiddenness of these details is what God the Son brings forward to you, so you can get a small glimpse of the Father’s love for you.
Read John 15:12-13. What does this mean to you? Discuss.
Read Colossians 1:16-17. How detailed is God? Share your thoughts.
In John 15:15-16, Jesus calls you friend. He said, “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 have learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last.”
He chose you. He calls you a friend. Jesus chose you. He calls you his friend.
Do you remember the silly games kids play in elementary school? At the lunch table, one first grader old gives another first grader his cookie, and at that moment something special happened. They are best friends. Or two little children swap toys and suddenly they are best buddies. Friendships are a special thing.
Your soul has a friend! Jesus looked across eternity and saw you. He chose you. What a friend you have in Jesus. He calls you a friend. Your soul found a friend in Jesus. Proverbs 18:24 says that a true, godly friend, “Sticks to you closer than a brother.”
Read Matthew 11:19; Luke 15:1-7 (notice verse 6); Luke 23:8-12 (notice verse 12). Discuss.
In John 15:15-16, Jesus calls you friend. He said, “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 have learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last.”
He chose you. He calls you a friend. Jesus chose you. He calls you his friend.
Do you remember the silly games kids play in elementary school? At the lunch table, one first grader old gives another first grader his cookie, and at that moment something special happened. They are best friends. Or two little children swap toys and suddenly they are best buddies. Friendships are a special thing.
Your soul has a friend! Jesus looked across eternity and saw you. He chose you. What a friend you have in Jesus. He calls you a friend. Your soul found a friend in Jesus. Proverbs 18:24 says that a true, godly friend, “Sticks to you closer than a brother.”
Read Matthew 11:19; Luke 15:1-7 (notice verse 6); Luke 23:8-12 (notice verse 12). Discuss.
