READ: John 15 (Focus vs. 9-17)
MEMORY VERSE
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends.” John 15:15
BACKGROUND
“Who can you call at midnight when everything has gone wrong?” This question shook me when I first heard it years ago. How many of my friendships were strong enough that I could impose on them in my hour of need? I wasn’t sure.
Scripture has much to say about friendship, describing a friend as someone who keeps confidences (Proverbs 11:13; 16:28), shares advice (27:9), and respects boundaries (25:17). But perhaps no one defined friendship more powerfully than Jesus.
While to advertisers we are markets and to employers we are staff, to Him, the Master of all, we are “friends” (John 15:15). Jesus described His kind of friendship as being built on shared love of God and personal sacrifice (vv. 13, 15)—something He Himself modeled and called us to pass on (v. 12).
A couple of years after hearing that question, my wife and I suffered a significant loss. Darren, one of the few who knew what happened, traveled two hours to see me, listen to my anger and pain, and pray for me.
Darren is a busy man who had plenty of other things to do with his day. But he followed Jesus’ example of sacrificial friendship. I really did have someone in my hour of need.
The question now is whether others have a “friend at midnight” in me. For there are few better ways to make more friends than to be one.
Sheridan Voysey
INSIGHT
In the early days of creation, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). These words reveal how foundational relationship and community are to the essence of being human.
While the immediate context is the marriage relationship, we’re called throughout Scripture to be in relationship with those around us.
Jesus said in today’s text to “love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). And Paul encourages believers in Christ to “bear with each other,” to be patient and forgive the shortcomings of others (Colossians 3:12-13).
Being a “friend at midnight” means helping those who’ve been given a heavy burden to carry.
J.R. Hudberg
APPLICATION
Who can you call at midnight when everything has gone wrong? Why is it important to be there for others in their hour of need?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“…relationship and community are foundational to the essence of our being human.” Today’s Insight (Adapted)
PR’s TAKE
“A friend in need is a friend indeed” Quintus Ennius
“Hold a true friend with both hands” African Proverb
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, please help me offer to others the kind of friendship You modeled.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS”
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms he’ll take and shield you;
You will find a solace there.
