Devotional 4-4-09

What kind of a Friend are you? Are you a Forever Friend?

The scene: Six days before Passover John 12:1-11
A dinner party at Simon the leper’s house with Jesus as the main guest. Including such dignitaries as Lazarus, Mary, Martha, and the disciples. The place is Bethany were Jesus just a few days earlier had raised Lazarus from the dead after he had been gone for four days. The talk is mainly concerned with how good Lazarus looks after being in the tomb for four days, and the great crowds of people that had been coming from all around to see him that was dead for four days. Let’s look at this dinner at the people who are here and consider who they really are.

Who are the Forever Friends?

Prov 18:24 - Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.

An Inviting Friend… (Simon the leper and Lazarus) One who will open the door and ask you to come in. You are welcome to come in and sit down at the table to have a fellowship a sharing of you with him. Makes himself friendly by giving himself to you. Is not afraid to sit next to you at the table. A joy to be around and always grateful for all that they receive. Jesus is an inviting friend who wants to invite you to invite him into your life. Would you be an inviting friend? Would be willing to continuously invite others to our table in the church?

A serving Friend…. (Martha)…Invites you to sit down at their table and cooks, serves, and cleans up after you. Washes your dishes. Brings your meal to you and allows you to eat and pays the bill for you. Serves you first. Jesus was willing to clean up your mess and pay for your bill. He came as a servant although he is the King of Kings. He is our servant.

A sacrificing Friend….(Mary) …Is broken and spilled out for you. They humble themselves before you to make the sacrifice for your benefit without the thought of return. Mary gave the equivalent of a year’s wages to Jesus when she poured out the perfume for Jesus. Then she proceeded to wipe his feet with her hair. Mary’s gift to the Savior made an odor that filled the house, so that there was no doubt that she had given much to the Savior. Jesus is the sacrificing friend that has given his life for you.

Oceanside, Calif.: Mr. Alter's fifth-grade class at Lake Elementary School made headlines when the boys in the class decided by themselves to shave their heads. They did so, without embarrassment, because one of their own, Ian O’Gorman, developed cancer and had undergone chemotherapy. His hair began to fall out. To make their friend feel at home, to feel one with the crowd, all his classmates agreed to shave their heads, with their parent's permission, so that upon his return, Ian would not stand out from the class. No one would know who the "cancer kid" was. The teacher, Mr. Alter, was so moved by the spirit of his class that he too shaved his head.

A Pretending (WANNA BE) Friend… (Judas) …This is a person who is close to you but never considers your needs over his or hers. This person is always putting their wants first. Judas was just such a friend. He was always there with the moneybag but he was not there for Jesus. Soon after the dinner he began to consort with the Pharisees on Jesus’ betrayal. He was always looking for ways to help himself to the goods.

A Forever Friend…(Jesus) … Jesus will be your forever friend and never leave you. Will you be a forever friend? How have you been a friend to others?

These are the Forever Friends. What makes the difference in these Friends? Their relationship to Jesus was the key. Are you a forever friend?

How close were they to the Savior?
Lazarus was close enough to eat with Him and recline with him at the table.
Martha was close enough to cook him dinner and serve him.
Mary was close enough to smell his feet and anoint them with the costly perfume.
Judas was close enough to kiss Him but didn’t know him. Do you know him?

He is Salvation. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary chose to give themselves to him, but Judas chose himself over Jesus. How close are you to the Savior? Would you come to get close to him today?

Amy Inghram

Mission Reponse and Prayer Focus
April 4: Are you a good correspondent? Donate a penny for every stamp you have.