From the Edges – Jesus My Friend – Morning Devotion

Seeking Jesus From the Edges

Morning Devotions : Jesus My Friend

Prayerfully prepared by Pastor Calvin Cook on August 12, 2024

John 15:13-17 ESV  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

The first day of school is soon for many young people of all ages. Remembering back to some of those first days thinking of the new friends that were made. Though I grew up in a small community where everyone knew everyone, the first day of school was a new opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

I remember meeting a girl the first day of school, I think maybe in first grade. I remember her well as being the new kid. Her demeanor was shy, she was frail, and her clothes were not new like first day of school clothes usually are. I learned later that she was a foster child and had experienced many things in her life that no 6 year old should. Yes we did have those problems in 1969, they were hidden much better, especially in rural areas.

In the lunch line on one of those first days, she was standing behind me and out of the blue she asked to be my friend. What? Friends with a girl? Even at that young age I had many apprehensions, but I remember saying yes. The friendship didn’t last long because in a few weeks she was gone, just suddenly one day she wasn’t there.

I learned in those early days the significance of valuing everybody. I learned that everyone needs a friend, but they shouldn’t have to ask, we should be friend to everyone, that is what experiencing God’s love is all about.

Today’s scripture – please read it and meditate on it. It invites us to know that Jesus wants to be our friend and so much more. Jesus wants to be our direction when we are lost, our hope in times of sorrow, our peace in times of desperation. Jesus wants us to experience everything that He has received, everything. I don’t know about you but that is the kind of friend I want and need, but is that the kind of friend I am to all people?

My friend James greets me every time in conversation with the greeting “My Friend”. These words make me feel good, to know I have a friend, I have someone who respects me and cares. Who before he even knows my day or situation, first and foremost loves me and respects me and calls me friend.

This also is the kind of Savior we have in our friend Jesus. Jesus loves us so much and calls us friend. May we show the kind of friendship to others that shows the mutual love of God that has been given to us all.

Action step for today – Be a friend, show kindness, without any other motive other than to be a friend. Encourage someone with friendship and not what that person has done wrong or what you want them to do. Be the kind of friend that Jesus is to us.