“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

A friend is someone known with mutual affection—dependable, trustworthy, and often known for many years. True friends know our secrets, successes, and failures, yet still love us. But I am here to tell you today that there is One who far exceeds those expectations—His name is Jesus, the Lord and Savior of the world! Yes, in fact, He’s the greatest friend of all! “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

In the upper room at the Last Supper, we find Jesus expressing the depth of His love for all mankind and the love we must show one another. He gently washed the disciples’ feet that night, displaying humility and servanthood. His ultimate service to mankind was to lay down His very life, not out of an immediate impending act from some dangerous situation or act of extreme circumstance that one would step into for another, but true sacrificial love, self-willed, foreknown, and freely given. A love that exceeds what mere man could possibly dare to understand. 

Romans 5: 6-7 states, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The Bible shows that even while we were sinners, or enemies of God, His love covered us for our benefit. Christ died on that old rugged cross so that we could live forever! And I am glad to witness that He is our forever friend. Every born-again believer will live with Him now and in eternity. “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Hebrews 5:9.

My friends, there is One who sticks closer than any brother, One whose name is above all names: the Savior of this world, Jesus the Christ. He is that kind of friend. Our earthly friends have limits, but praise be to God, the precious blood Jesus shed on Calvary’s Cross has all power. It reaches the highest mountain and flows to the lowest valley, and He will keep us safe and secure in His everlasting arms forever!

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:15. So, if you need a friend, I recommend Jesus, who calls us friends.

The words of the well-known gospel song ring true: What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege it is 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

May blessings and peace be with you all.