Friend In Jesus
August 10, 2025
Dr. Paul Cannings
In one of Aesop’s Fables, two men were traveling together, when a Bear suddenly met them on their path. One of them quickly climbed into a tree and concealed himself in the branches. The other, fearing that the bear might attack, fell flat on the ground. When the Bear lumbered over, he nudged the man with his snout, as he sniffed him. The man held his breath, and feigned the appearance of death. The Bear, who prefers to kill his own dinner soon left him. When it was safe, the other traveler descended from the tree, and begin to tease his friend. “What was that Bear whispering in your ear.” “He gave me this advice,” his companion replied. “Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the first sign of danger.” (Fresh Illustrations.)
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17 NASB)
“A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24; NASU)
“All the brothers of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone. He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.” (Proverbs 19:7-8; NASU)
“Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.” (Proverbs 27:10; NASU)
“True friendship is vividly portrayed with David and Jonathan; translates itself into deeds (vs. 5). absolutely frank (vs. 9). Warns of danger (vs. 9). Devoted (vss. 41-42).” Sermon Illustrations from the Bible: Topically Arranged.
The best way to start and sustain a genuine friendship is to first become a friend of the One who died for the purpose of becoming our friends (John 15:13). When we accept His desire to be our friend we become like Him (Galatians 2:20) and as His disciples we are spiritually empowered to love one another; “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35; NASU) And He said to him, ” ‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39; Philippians 2:1-5; NASU) To not do this is to walk in darkness (1 John 2:9-10).