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

A friend is defined as a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection. Someone who is dependable, trustworthy, and usually an individual whom we have known for many years. These are the ones who know our secrets, successes, failures, and 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, 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 the account of Jesus expressing the extent of His love for all mankind and the kind of love we must show one another. He gently washed the disciples’ feet that night, a display of 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, that which is 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 renders that even while we were yet sinners or enemies of God, His love covered us, all 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, the One who has a name that is above all names, the Savior of this world, Jesus the Christ. He is that kind of friend. Our earthly friends have limitations by the constraints of this physical mind and body, but praise be to God, the precious blood that Jesus shed on Calvary’s Cross has all power, and it reaches to the highest mountain and flows to the lowest valley, and He will keep us 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!

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!

Blessings and peace be with you all.