Friends

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 13:34,34

I keep coming back to this verse, and each time for a different reason. The Bible is like that. Full of wisdom upon wisdom, some we catch right away, some lie waiting to be discovered like this time. What did Jesus mean by ‘love one another’? And who was He talking about?

Some of us don’t make friends easily. I don’t mean the surface ‘hello how are you, I’m fine’ kind of friends. I mean the kind that you let in to your personal space. You don’t mind spilling your feelings to, in the full knowledge that they will not laugh or think you are crazy. Always, always, true friendship is two way. For some it started in school and has lasted a lifetime, but for others that true friend may have come in later life.

Jesus wanted His disciples to be true friends to each other, and that would show itself as a selfless love to others. The best friends we can have are those who are of like mind in the faith and lifestyle handed to us by Jesus. Who is your best friend? If you are blessed to have that special person who you don’t mind sharing your personal highs and lows with, you are blessed indeed. Treasure that gift, and don’t take your friend or your friendship for granted. They are most likely God given.