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L I F E F A I T H F U S I O N D E VOT I O NA L

Friendship is a Sheltering Tree L I F E F A I T H F U S IO N D E V O TI O N A L D A Y T HR E E SCRIPTURE STUDY Proverbs 17:17 John 21:15-19 Jeremiah 1:5 Proverbs 3:32 Psalms 139:3 John 10:11-17

TREASURED FRIENDS DIGGING DEEPER

The Hebrew word for friendra` ah-also means to pasture or tend a flock in Proverbs 17:7. Jesus used the same analogy in John 10:11.

Friends can address aloneness and enrich life in many positive ways. Many Christians live lives of self-reliance. The self-reliant Christian misinterprets his lifestyle as spiritual maturity. Aloneness needs are only met in the context of relationships. Psychologists have identified over 300 different types of human needs. Jesus, during his lifetime, was very relational. He preached to the masses. He commissioned the seventy to evangelize. He discipled twelve men for three years. Christ befriended Peter, James and John as intimate friends. All of us need to treat others with kindness, grace and empathy. But our personal resources are limited. Understanding how to set boundaries and invest in the lives of others is often a challenge. However, the benefit of cultivating friends far outweighs the burden. Cherished companions lighten the load by listening, comforting, advising, and affirming us.

PRAYER FOCUS Dear Jesus, Give me eyes to see those that need a shepherd. Give me grace to minister to my family, my friends, and my congregation. Show me the friends that You have placed in my life. Amen

Great insight can be gained by studying the Hebrew text for Proverbs 17:17. The word friend is a primitive root, ra` ah, which means to tend a flock, to pasture a flock, or to associate with someone. Jesus was very clear in his conversation with Peter following his betrayal. Christ asked Peter to feed his sheep and tend his lambs. The essence of true ministry is friendship motivated by love to steadfastly guide and protect those entrusted to our care. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11-12 NIV

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Reflect upon the family and friends God has given you. Is it natural for you to love, guide and protect your “flock”your friends and family?

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What are your greatest challenges in caring for others?

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Is there someone in your life who has been a good shepherd to you?

CLOSER THAN A BROTHER

The Hebrew word for brother also has nuances that profoundly affect our view of friendship. The word 'ach not only means brother, but also carries the connotation of a kindred spirit. In some cases, it can mean “father.” Therefore, a brother is a kindred soul who deeply understands the heart of another. A father assumes a responsibility to love, nurture and protect his children. When we befriend others, we seek to understand their needs. We also are committed to their physical, emotional and spiritual care. Solomon’s words that a brother is born to adversity reveal that it is natural to stay beside the ones we love when they walk through the valleys of life. Jesus modeled redemptive love when he met Peter by the seaside after Peter’s betrayal. Christ offered his dejected disciple grace and forgiveness. (John 21:15-19) However, Jesus gave more than forgiveness to Peter. He offered his friend a new opportunity to minister (John 21:15-17) and an assurance that Peter would be faithful until death (John 21:19) •

Who in your life has stood beside you in adversity? How did that make you feel?

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Who has affirmed your ministry? Take a moment to thank God for those beloved friends.

Meditate for a moment on Jesus’ encounter with Peter in John 21. Visualize yourself receiving. forgiveness and affirmation from Jesus.

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LEVELS OF FRIENDSHIP The commitment to befriend another in such an intensive way requires tremendous emotional and physical resources. Intimate friendship takes time. Jesus did not invest the same level of commitment to everyone he met. The Savior had acquaintances, casual friends, close friends, and intimate friends. His understanding of how to maximize His resources as a shepherd give us great insight as to how we can most effectively love those around us.

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Let’s look at several different types of friendships we can develop. Acquaintances – Acquaintances are those with whom we have limited contact and surface interaction. In Matthew 11:19 Jesus was called a friend of publicans and sinners. He ate with them. Some men, like Zacchaeus, came to faith because Christ gave him love and acceptance. Few had sat down at the table with the unscrupulous tax collector. (Luke 19:2-8) John 2:23-25 contain words that may surprise us. Jesus had the discernment to hold some men at arm’s length: “But when He was in Jerusalem during the Passover Feast, many believed in His name [identified themselves with His party] after seeing His signs (wonders, miracles) which He was doing. But Jesus [for His part] did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all [men]; And He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man [needed no evidence from anyone about men], for He Himself knew what was in human nature. [He could read men's hearts.] [I Sam. 16:7.]” AMP •

Why you think Jesus had acquaintances?

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Do you have trouble setting boundaries with some people in your life?

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Is it difficult to set priorities in your relationships with others?

Casual friends-Casual friends are those with whom we have more contact and more common interests. At this level, you feel free to ask more specific questions, solicit their opinions, and impart value and blessing to them. But because of your own limitations of time and energy, you cannot spend inordinate amounts of time with them. In Luke 10:1-4; 17; and 23, Luke describes Christ’s interaction with those who would carry the Good News to the lost. He affirmed their calling to ministry and gave them valuable advice for their task. However, He could not invest the same amount of time He spent with His twelve disciples: “The Lord appointed 72 others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every place where his was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. …The 72 returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” … Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.” NIV •

How would you describe the interaction Jesus had with His casual friends?

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Do you affirm and encourage others in ministry?

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When one of your “disciples” see results from their ministry, how does that make you feel?

Close friends relate on a much deeper level. They are free to ask hard questions of each other. They socialize and enjoy each other’s company on a regular basis. Close friends share similar life goals and values. Jesus called twelve men to be His close friends. Before He called them to be his disciples, He spent time alone with His Heavenly Father to obtain guidance for this endeavor. (Mark 1:14-20) The twelve disciples were close friends to Jesus. Christ called them to share His vision and to continue His ministry after His ascension. Three years of Jesus’ life were spent investing in the lives of these twelve men. Read John 15:15 reflects the closeness that Jesus had with His beloved band: “I no longer call you servants…Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I have learned from my father I have made known to you.” NIV Intimate friends have the deepest commitment to each other both in time and investment. Not only are they very open in sharing ideas and feelings, but anxiously await the counsel and reproof of their intimate friend. They feel free to criticize, correct, embrace, and encourage each other. There are three Hebrew words for intimacy. The first, yada, means to know someone. Jeremiah 1:5 states that God knows us. The second Hebrew word is sod. This term means to disclose. God allows us to know Him in Proverbs 3:32. The third word for intimacy is sakan. If you have an intimate friend, you know him well, you allow him to know you. This word implies caring involvement. In Psalms 139:3, the Psalmist writes that God is caringly involved in our lives. Such love and vulnerability are possible because a beloved friend wants to bless and not betray you. Jesus had twelve close friends: But he had three intimate friends. In Matthew 17:1-2 Matthew writes: “Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John…and He was transfigured before them.” NIV Jesus took Peter, James and John to the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter and John raced to the tomb on Easter morning. Christ greatest moments and darkest hours were spent with His intimate friends. As finite human beings, we cannot sustain intimate relationships with many people. We may have many casual friendships, fewer close friends, and only a handful of intimate friends. All of us are greatly blessed if we have even two or three intimate friends in our lifetime. •

Do you have both close friends and intimate friends? If so, name them.

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Are you investing your life in others? Who are they?

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Spend some time thanking God for the deep relationships He has given you. If you have never had an intimate friend, ask God to bring one into your life.

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APPLYING THE TRUTH Read the following Scriptures: Jeremiah 1:5; Proverbs 3:32; Psalms 139:3; John 21:15-19; John 10:11-17 In the areas below, write out the Scriptures(s), thought(s), and question(s) from today’s devotional that you want to spend more time thinking about. What will you apply to your life?