WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS?

Today is celebrated as “Friendship Day” all over the world. It is a good idea, though friendship should not be celebrated just on one day, out of 365 days. Friends are such wonderful and integral part of our lives, that, they should be celebrated, every single day of the year. Having said that, let us look at Jesus and see what we can learn about friends, friendship and more importantly, “being a friend.”

Jesus was called “FRIEND of Sinners and Publicans.” It was by no means a compliment. Rather, an insult which is both sharp and smooth. “15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”* – Mark 2:15-16. The response of the LORD Jesus, to this veneered insult, enlightens us, about his heart, and the purpose of His coming –  “17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” – Mark 2:17

Jesus ‘started’ one ‘scandal’ after another, by meeting people of dubious distinction. No wonder the Pharisees and the Sadducees were so ‘enraged’ with Him. Jesus was intentional, in mingling with sinners…He still does the same. Isn’t this the case with you and me? There are no two opinions about it. 
He called a tax collector; sat with them and had a sumptuous dinner with them – Matthew 9:9-13.
He chatted with a ‘liberated’ woman at the well – John 4:1-42.
His feet were washed by a woman in public, who was a former prostitute, with the most expensive perfume, and with her tears, and wiping them with her hair – Luke 7:37-38.
He called one short and extremely corrupt tax collector, who climbed up the sycamore tree – Luke 19:1-10.

Jesus was meeting and eating with the sinners of His day, not to have a gala time. No, Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost. He came to heal the sick. He came to call the sinners to repentance. Those who felt they are good and good enough, don’t seem to have any space left for the LORD in their hearts. They are already so full of themselves. Isn’t it true?

Now, how are we mixing and mingling with people around us? Let us never forget that, we are saved by the grace and the mercy of the LORD. Who are our friends? With whom do we spend time? What is the purpose of we spending our time with anyone? Are we being a true friend to the LORD who called us His friends? – John 15:13-15. Are we being a true friend to those around us by “Proclaiming the *Good News”which can save them from eternal damnation? Mark 16:15. Let us be a true friend, because *”17 A friend loveth at all times…”* – Proverbs 17:17.