A well known phrase in the world is the saying that a friend in-need is a friend indeed. Not referring to the friend being in-need of something, but that the friend remains your friend even when you are in need. Sadly, it is a rare thing. Often times a friend will only remain so when you have something to offer, or will only call when thy need something from you; and when this kind of friend is discovered to be that type of friend, it can end up making us feel even more alone than ever.
So this message will be of particular interest to those who are feeling alone today. Fear not, because there is a friend that we have never known that we have, and you will be introduced to this friend today.
Now I am already aware that there will be some people already getting ready for what I am about to say. The idea of Jesus being our “best friend” is not something new, it is not an idea which I have just discovered or made-up. It also is generally thought of as tired or “lame” by some young people (or maybe even adults). However this feeling of “lame-ness” is hitched onto one faulty assumption that can be dealt with right away… and that is the assumption that God is some type of imaginary friend.
It is true that it’s hard to have a relationship if both parties do not believe that the other is real. And I can tell you today that God absolutely believes in you! So for this relationship to have a chance, those of you who are still hanging on to some doubt that God is just imaginary, I would encourage you to honestly open your mind to greater possibilities today. If you really wanted to talk to me, but I never answered your phone call because I didn’t believe that it was you calling, conversation would be at best difficult. No matter how intently that you dialed my number, if I simply refused to take a step in faith and answer the phone, I would miss out on all that you had to tell me.
I know that there are some of you today who have been getting proverbial “phone-calls” from God. Not through sickness, disease or oppression, because He does not send those things, but you have been having a longing, a yearning on the inside for a deeper connection. Knowing that there has to be something more out there. It is this desire that drives many people to search all across the world, and sometimes out into space or into deep depths; yet God is as near as a small voice, a gentle whisper of “I love you.” And some people are so busy searching that they miss this close personal voice.
Unfortunately there are many pastors and leaders in the world (and church) today who preach a God who is a false friend. A fickle being who loves you when you do right and hates you when you do wrong. Now really if any of our friends or family would behave in this way, we would dismiss and dump them in a short amount of time because we would realize that their love was not genuine… yet we think of God as acting in this same manner. Woe to any pastor who preaches a God such as this!
The very nature of Jesus is one who loves the unlovable. All throughout His life, He healed every leper (lepers were outcasts in those days). He ate meals with sinners, fellowshipped with tax-collectors, extended a hand of health to all who were sick, and met with anyone who called to Him – regardless of their social status or personal wealth.
When we comprehend how utterly bankrupt that we all were, and the fact that Jesus Christ came to earth and died for us anyway, then we begin to understand that Jesus truly is our ultimate “friend in-need” and a friend indeed!
You see, back when Jesus first came to earth, we all had nothing. We were dead, having inherited the curse of sin from Adam and Eve… we were spiritually cut-off and completely broken. (This was sin’s doing, not God). Yet even in this completely wretched state that we were in, Jesus willfully chose to come down to earth, fellowship with us, demonstrate His love to us by healing all who came to Him, and teaching as many as would listen. Then having done all of this, He drew all of our sin to Himself like a lightning rod, and He suffered all of the punishment which we deserved, so that we would not have to suffer it, and through Him we would no longer be dead, cut-off or wretched any longer.
This is a friend who has loved us, without asking for anything in return. This is a true friend. Does this sound too good to be true? Does this sound unfamiliar? Many churches are preaching a different God today: one of anger instead of love. But Jesus showed us absolutely that He had no problems suffering and dying for sinners. If He wanted us dead, He would’ve just let us die, it would’ve saved Him a lot of personal pain. But no, He came of His own free will and took our place on that cross and suffered our pains and sicknesses and every curse of sin so that we would not have to.
The Bible makes this simply clear in Romans 5:8:
“But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Today if you are feeling like you have no trustworthy friend, if you feel completely alone, it is a lie of the enemy. You have a friend who cares about you deeply. You have a friend who loves you unconditionally, asking nothing in return. Allow God’s love to wash over you, and know that you are never alone.
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