Friend of God – Friend of Man

My friend, Josh Gayle, made a 30 minute video entitled 'stranger' for his genre filmmaking class at MC. In a simple parable he delivers a powerful truth, the need for friendship. We all have that need, although we may experience it differently. And it seems those who are most troubled and difficult to be with need it most.

After viewing the film I was reflecting on ways that God has met me as a friend. When I first left home to go to college I was a new believer in a new place. I would rise early dragging guitar and Bible into the common room, singing and pouring my heart out to my God. As I walked from class to class I was continually talking with Jesus, sharing my burdens, listening for his voice.

In all my times of difficulty, loneliness and desperation over the years I could often be found on my knees, figuratively if not actually, pouring out my griefs and fears. His word was daily food - reading, memorizing and meditating on scripture... hanging on words of hope, promise and truth - from my ‘friend.’

Friend of God. Is that an audacious statement? Very much so... if it weren’t so pervasive in Scripture:

Abraham believed God... —and he was called a friend of God. - James 2:23

Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. - Exodus 33:11

Note: It does not say Moses spoke to God as his friend, but the Lord spoke to Moses as his friend!

Job knew the friendship of God. In his lament and suffering he refers to it:

Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me...when the friendship of God was upon my tent... Job 29:2-4

But that’s Abraham, Moses and Job you say. Fair enough. But Psalm 25:14 declares:

The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.

And then we come to Jesus...

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ - Matthew 11:19

Finally, a whole sermon could be shared on John 15 where the word “friend” is used three times in three consecutive verses to share the definition, conditions, and proof of friendship:

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you. 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. - John 15:13-15

Which brings us full circle back to Josh’s video. My wife used to say: “don’t focus on looking for friends, but on being a friend.” That is exactly what Jesus said:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:34-35

The point? My friendship with God is enacted, empowered, made alive, when and as I befriend others. It’s who God is. It’s what he does. He draws us to himself as friends, and works in our hearts to friend others. 

That second part is often a struggle, as my comforts and preferences die way too slowly and painfully. But simultaneously I cannot deny that is where I find Jesus, the friend of sinners, who looks to reach more friends, and desires to do that through me.

Thanks for the effective reminder Josh.