That's What Friends Are For

Take a minute and think about the friends that are in your life right now. What makes them a friend? How would you describe them? As you think about your current friends, let me share with you what the definition of a friend is. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a friend is defined as a person whom one knows, likes and trusts. Does that sound like the friends you have? We should enjoy being around our friends, not dreading the time we have with them. We should be excited when we get to talk and hang out with them. Our friends should be supportive and encouraging to us and we should support and encourage them as well. We should pray for our friends and want to see the best for them. They should pray for us and want to see the best for us. If we have friends who want to see our downfall, stay stuck in the past and not get better or move forward, then that's not a friend! Friends understand that none of us are perfect, but love us in spite of our mistakes and wrong choices. Being a friend is more than just saying it in words. It's more than saying you're friends with someone on Facebook. Actions always speak much louder than words! In Mark 5:1-12, we see that there are 4 men who helped one of their friends have his life changed forever. Now that's what we call real friends! In these particular verses, we see Jesus is teaching at a house that is packed with lots of people. In fact, there is no room left for anyone else to come in the house "not even near the door (v.2)." People were everywhere! But, there were 4 men who were determined to get their friend in that house by any means necessary. They knew Jesus was there and knew their friend's life could be changed if they could get to Him. So, as Jesus is preaching the Word in the house, a loud noise starts to be heard. Now I'm sure the people are thinking what is that noise they keep hearing. I'm sure it caused some to look up because it sounded like the noise was coming from the roof. In fact, it sounded like the roof was about to get ripped off. Well, lo and behold, that's exactly what it was! Right before the people's very eyes, the roof had been opened and a man lying on a bed was being lowered down in the house. What a scene! Now, the man that was lying on the bed was paralyzed and had not been able to walk. When Jesus saw what was happening, he stopped preaching for a moment and said two things to the man who was on the bed. First, He said, "Son, your sins are forgiven you (v.5)." Second, He said, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house (v.11)." Jesus spoke to him as a father would speak to a child. He spoke to him in love. He also forgives him for wrong he had done. The man had not told Jesus he had done anything wrong. The man hasn't said a word up to this point! But Jesus knew, just like He knows about us. Jesus forgave the man and released him from any shame or guilt he had. Notice that Jesus addressed the man's spiritual state before he addressed his physical state. Once the man had faith to believe he was forgiven and worthy of love, then he could have faith to believe he could physically walk, which leads to the second thing Jesus said. Jesus told him to get up, pick up the very bed he was lying on and go home. This required faith on the man's part since he did not come in the house walking on his own. Well, his faith and Jesus' healing power showed up in a big way! In front of everyone, the man immediately got up, took up his bed and walked out on his own for all to see (v.12). What a great miracle! So let's go back to the 4 men who brought their friend to Jesus in the beginning. They wanted to see their friend's condition change. You see, real friends may see us down, but don't want to see us stay down. They encourage us and want to see us rise above whatever is trying to keep us down. They want to see us move forward. Real friends will be there for us no matter what. They are not afraid to tell us the truth in love and don't want us to settle for less than the best. They don't want to see us being mistreated or taken advantage of. They will stand with us through the thick and thin, good and bad. We can count on them. After all, that's what friends are for. So, today, check your friend circle. How does it look? Don't get discouraged by the number. Over time, we may lose friends and that's okay. It hurts, but God will send who you need. I've learned it's better to have a few faithful friends than a whole lot who claim to be friends in name only. Can you count and depend on the friends you have? Can they count and depend on you as a friend? Don't take your friends for granted. Appreciate and value them greatly. Thank you to all I call a friend! Your support, presence and help mean so much to me! Your encouragement helps me continue to press on. Real friends know that there's more ahead and that we should keep going. After all, that's what friends are for.