BIBLE READING: Exodus 31, 32, 33; Mathew 22: 1-33
“And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle” – Exodus 33: 11(KJV).
It is so exciting to know that mere mortal man can be a friend of God. In a world where great men and people in high positions are unfriendly and unapproachable, it is shocking to know that God extends the hand of friendship to man he created. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother. God demands man’s intimacy with him, he is so loving, caring and approachable. He even became one of us and put on flesh so he can be touched by the feelings of our infirmities. In his incarnate state, the man Christ Jesus established friendship with the disciples. As a friend, he travelled with them on the same boat, he did not pay for business class to show a class distinction as many great men would do today, rather, he stooped to the same level with the disciples, ate with them, slept with them and talked with them as friends.
No wonder a song writer wrote “what a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief to bear, what a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.” Hear what Jesus told his disciples, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard by my father I have made known unto you” – John 15:15 (KJV).
What a privilege to know that we can get to the level of closeness with Jesus to become his friends. Just as the father established fellowship with Adam in the garden of Eden for intimacy and friendship, Jesus calls us today to a close walk and intimate communion as friends.
Prayer: Lord, help me to develop such intimacy and friendship with you in Jesus name.
Rev. Vincent Diolu