The Sinner's Friend

Among the names in the scriptures used to describe the characteristics, qualities, and work of God is the name, "Friend." Jesus is called the sinner's friend: "The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a wine bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners" (Matt. 11:19). Truly, Jesus is that friend of sinners. To those who feel themselves to be just and upright in themselves this may be viewed derisively, but to us who feel the burden and weight of our own sinfulness and sinful nature, this is wonderful news!

According to Prov. 18:24, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." While this verse has practical application to each of us and we all should learn its lessons, there is a very real sense to the children of God that Jesus is that "friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

Many may have brothers and even friends who prove to be a big help in bearing some of the burdens and problems of life, but to the heart felt sinner, Jesus is the only one who paid it all to redeem him from his sins and then sent forth his spirit into the sinner's heart that he might cry "Abba Father." In addition, Jesus is there in the midst of all our trials and troubles of life, having promised to never leave us nor forsake us. As it is said in Job 5:19, "He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee."

Furthermore, as our friend, he listens to us as we read in Ps. 34:15, "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry," and in 1 Pet. 3:12, "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."

Jesus, as our friend, has borne the burdens we could not bear:

1. Matt. 8:17 "That it might be fulfilled...Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

2. Is. 53:4, 5 "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his stripes we are healed."

3. Heb. 9:28 "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many..."

4. 1 Pet. 2:24 "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

According to Prov. 17:17, "A friend loveth at all times and a brother is born for adversity." Jesus is the dearest friend that a sinner has for he truly loves us at all times. That is not to say that he always loves our actions, but his love for us never wanes. We read in Jer. 31:3 where God said, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee." According to Rom. 8:38 nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In John 15:13 we read, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Again, while this verse has practical application and instruction to each of us, yet, Jesus is the perfect friend who has perfectly fulfilled the above verse. He laid down his life, both in life and death, for us that we be delivered from
the bondage of sin, and that we may know how to live our lives to the fulness of joy, peace, and love in this time world, and that we may live with him in glory.

John 15:15 states, "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 of the Father I have made known unto you." A friend confides with his friends. Jesus as the sinner's friend, has confided with us. He has given us the word of God that we may know what he has done and will yet do for us.

Knowing that we have such a great friend as Jesus we thus desire to be his friend. As Abraham was called, "the Friend of God" in James 2:23, it should be our desire as well that we be considered to be the Friends of God. Jesus said in John 15:14, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." To the extend that we live obediently to the commandments of God, we then become the Friends of God.

May God help us to remember our Friend, Jesus, and help us to live our lives as the "Friends of God."

Elder Vernon Johnson