What a Friend We Have

Who remembers the story of Jared, the grumpy old man I befriended at Sunrise one morning whom later turned his old ways of thinking around about God. If you recall, he had recently lost his wife and was very angry.

After several visits with him, and praying alongside him while I recited my prayers, he finally decided to do the same even when I wasn’t there… remember how I came across him doing so? It filled my heart with joy that morning as I knew, another non-believer, had found his way back to the Lord.

Well, they story continues this weekend. I came across Jared again on Saturday. It was a rather cloudy day and the Sunrise was blocked from both our view. Still, it was a little windy but a beautiful sight to see.

I asked Jared, “So, how is your wife? Is she enjoying her time with Jesus?” Jared seemed to jump at this opportunity I presented him. He quickly replied, “She’s doing great… wanna meet her?”

I got a little confused at this point as I remembered his wife had died. What on earth was he talking about. Nonetheless, I smiled at him and said, “Sure, I’d like nothing better!”

Jared turned to me on our little bench and took my hands in his. He then said, “Let’s pray.” So, we both bowed our heads and he began to pray. He didn’t pray out loud, but I could see he was talking to Jesus… eyes tightly shut and face shrugged-up as if he were concentrating really hard.

Shortly after we began, his face eased-up and a little smile cracked his wrinkled old face. I was beginning to understand. “Are you with her Jared?” I gently whispered… and Jared shaking his head aggressively as a little child with a new toy.

At this point, he spoke… “Elizabeth, this here is Woody, the preacher-man I told you about.” I couldn’t help but say, “I’m very pleased to meet you Elizabeth… I’ve heard so much about you!”

This went on for several minutes and soon, all of the emotion I had seen in Jared’s face left him and a small, single little tear rolled down his cheek.

“She left already Jared?” I asked. “Yeah, she has things to do today with her friend. Had to git a move on.” Curious, I asked him, “Do I know her friend Jared?” to which he replied, “Of course you do, its Jesus!”

What an awesome scene it all was. Tears were rolling down my face as if it was raining and I couldn’t seem to find any words to say in response to what he had just said.

I finally mustered-up enough strength to say all that I could think of, “God bless you Jared… I’m so glad you finally understand.”

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The Song

A few hours later as I sat in my office, it came to me. Of course! What a Friend We Have in Jesus! It’s one of my favorite songs. How many of you know this song and, more importantly, understand its meaning?

The author of this song was Joseph M. Scriven, Born in 1819 in Ireland. From all I have read about Joseph, this song must truly have come from the pain and suffering he endured, yet, his devotion to our Lord was never-ending:

• His fiancé accidently drowned in 1843, the day before he was to be married at age 24. “The bottom of my world just disappeared.” As he wandered about Ireland he would say, “I am always reminded of the wonderful day I looked forward to but never had occurred.”
• He moved to Canada and decided to devote himself to all he had heard in Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount.
• Never denied anyone help. He was a carpenter of sort and would always give of himself to anyone in need. He was considered The Good Samaritan of Port Hope.
• In 1854, his second fiancé Elisa, died from pneumonia but, once again, he turned to God, whom he considered his Best Friend…and wrote this song and proudly proclaimed that “He, and the Lord, had written this song together.”

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry,
Everything to God in prayer.

How strong is that to you… All our sins and griefs to bear?

Isaiah 53:4 – “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.”

Even before He was born, the ancient prophets in the Old Testament, many verses from Isaiah, foretold of how He would bear our pain and suffering.

…and confirmed in Matthew regarding Christ’s ministry and all of the trials and tribulations Jesus faced.

Matthew 8:17 – “This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

Oh what peace we often forfeit,
oh what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry,
Everything to God in prayer.

How much “needless pain” have you borne? If you’re anything like me, I’m sure it was much. As in above, we often “forfeit” our peace as we forget what Jesus had promised for us.

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Have we trials and temptations,
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

As believers, we often suffer from many trials and tribulations in life. People think we’re strange believing in something we have never seen… listening and following the words of a man we’ve never heard. It isn’t easy being a follower of Christ yet, He told us…

John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Can we find a friend so faithful,
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
take it to the Lord in prayer.

“A friend so faithful.” I think Jared let us know that in his story, don’t you? Me, personally… not unlike Joseph M. Scriven, believe Jesus is a close and personal friend of mine.

I know I’ve mentioned it several times in the past… we are NEVER alone. It doesn’t matter where we are; who may be around us; or any situation we may be in or facing… we are truly not alone!

Hebrews 4:15-16 – “Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.”

“Come bravely before the throne of God!” We are strong, and we have been forgiven. If you have accepted Jesus and have the realization that, no matter what you’ve done, your sins have been forgiven you (remember last week: Washed in His Blood) … then, when it is your time to face the Father, you can be assured that Christ will be at your side.

In Conclusion

Jesus is my friend. Jesus is your friend. He walks beside us every day. He protects us from evil, as long as we don’t invite evil in… and he Loves us unconditionally.

John 15:15 – “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Talk to your friend. Talk to Jesus and know He is listening. When you are going through a difficult time, know that He will come through for you.

Isn’t it better to believe and understand this today? Why would you not understand the friendship you have with Christ as He has told us so many times.

I heard it once said: “It is better to believe in God and return to dirt than to not believe and find out He is real!” Make sense? I think so… believe!

Go with God; be good to one another; always stay humble; always be kind… God Bless!