The Risk of Friendship

Read  I Samuel 18-20 (The story of David and Jonathan)

Jonathan and David by Rembrandt

Reflect on 1 Samuel 18:1-9, John 15:12-17

When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.  Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house.  Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.  Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.  David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.  - 1 Samuel 18:1-9

Jesus said to his disciples, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you.  I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.  You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.  I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another."  - John 15:12-17 

Questions for Reflection from Dr. Steve Sweet

1.      Have you ever felt like someone or something was “out to get you”.  Was it real, or was it just your mind playing some tricks on you?

2.      When was the last time that you felt like a challenge in your life was “insurmountable, overwhelming or maybe even personal’?

3.      What tends to be your first reaction when challenging times come your way?

4.      Can you think of a time when God provided you with a friend at just the right time?  Who was that friend?  How could you tell that it was a “God send”?

5.      Steve said that “True friendship will always entail some risk”?  How have you seen that play out in your friendships over the years?

6.     Read John 15:12-14.  How has Jesus been the perfect friend?  What does his friendship mean for you? 

A PRAYER:  “The Servant Song”

Brother, sister let me serve you.  Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey.  We are friends here on the road.
We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you; speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping. When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow Till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, sister let me serve you. Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

Richard Gillard of New Zealand
1976-77