Sasha Horning
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
I am a middle child with three brothers. Two older, and one younger. Seeing and thinking about Jesus as my big brother, the firstborn among many brethren, has been one of my favorite meditations. I think about the time my oldest brother called me after my first sermon given at King’s Church. He listened to my teaching (humbled already) then he left an amazing voicemail on my phone one evening that marked my life. He said with heightened confidence and surety, “Sasha, this is what you were created for, DO THIS!” This message came when I was struggling with doubt, and needed courage to rise and come out of my shroud of discouragement.
Jesus was Lazarus’ friend, his big brother.
The question I pose to myself is how do I grow in my reliability as a friend? How do I become a friend that sticks closer than a brother. I believe with all things gospel, it starts with receiving.
We love, because He first loved us.
We get the deepest honor to receive Jesus as our reliable friend and brother.
What made Jesus reliable:
- He interpreted all received messages through Truth.
- He didn’t push his timing, but waited on the Father’s timing.
- We willingly laid down his life for his friend.
Jesus received word that Lazarus was ill, what did Jesus say?
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4)
He did not give room for lies, worry, and anxiety. He couldn’t afford to, He needed a clear connection to the Father, in order to completely love Lazarus.
So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” (John 11:6)
I believe the reason Jesus waited because He wasn’t taking the lead of his own life, He was submitted to the Father. He laid down his life for the Father, and therefore was able to lay down his life for his friend Lazarus.
Judea was where they wanted to stone him to death. Him going to his friend, would mean risking his life.
Yet, Jesus, our reliable friend and brother had single vision: I want to bring glory to the Father, and that single vision made him the best big brother to Lazarus and to us.
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