What a TRUE Friend We Have in Jesus

Good Morning My name is Bern McGrane; I’m from here in Bremen.  My friend, Pastor Mike asked me to share with you this morning in his absence. I met Mike during the Every Word Bible reading last summer.  We all enjoyed listening to Mike’s southern drawl as he read the scriptures. Let’s pray for Mike and his family and for our time together this morning.

Open in prayer

The American evangelist Dwight L. Moody incorporated the song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” in his sermons, writings, and teachings. This caused many people to believe that the song is an American hymn but that was not so, it was written by an Irishman named Joseph Scriven. Joseph Scriven had wealth, education, a devoted family, and a pleasant life in his native country of Ireland. Son of a captain in the British Royal Marines, Joseph was born in Ireland in 1819. After receiving his university degree from Trinity College in London, he enrolled in a military college to prepare for an army career. However, poor health forced him to give up that ambition. A short time later, Joseph left Ireland to start a new life in Canada. He established a home in Port Hope, where he turned to the only thing that had anchored him during his life: his faith. Through prayer and Bible study he found not just comfort, but a mission. The then twenty-five year old dramatically changed his lifestyle. Joseph took a vow of poverty, sold all of his earthly possessions, and vowed to give his life to the physically handicapped and financially destitute. Often he would give away his clothes and possessions to those in need, and he worked without pay for anyone who needed him. He became known as “The Good Samaritan of Port Hope.” Ten years later, Joseph received word that his mother had become very ill. Because of his vow of poverty, He did not have the money to go home to help care for her. Heartsick, and feeling the need to reach out to her, he wrote a comforting letter, enclosing the words of his newly written poem, with the prayer that these brief lines would remind her of a never failing friend she had in Jesus. “What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and grief to bear What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer”   Sermon: “What a TRUE friend we have in Jesus” Scripture Passages: John chapters 11,12,13 – Verses 1-7    Let’s turn to John chapter 11 and read the first seven verses. 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” 4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

Bethany was a village located near Jerusalem approximately 2 miles east, on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives.  This made it a short journey by foot, likely less than an hour’s walk from Jerusalem, about the distance from Bremen to Rentown.

Bethany was the village home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha who were friends of Jesus.  Lazarus became sick and his sisters sent a message to their friend Jesus saying “Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.”  The sisters sent the message because they knew Jesus loved and cared for Lazarus and for them. When Jesus heard the message He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”  He stayed two more days in the place where He was.  (Jesus was in Perea, about two days journey from Bethany, ministering and teaching. One of the parables He shared there was the story of the “Good Samaritan” that we are very familiar with.  The story emphasizes what loving and caring really looks like.)  After the two days, He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again”.   We might wonder why after hearing about Lazarus Jesus would stay two more days.  The delay was not neglect; it was part of a greater plan to reveal His glory and strengthen their faith.  Sometimes God acts after all human hope is gone, so that His power and love are the only explanation for the outcome.     Remember that time when you felt so completely hopeless with nowhere to turn and you cried out to God?   The truth is that according to Psalm 34:17-18 “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Bern, adding the verse prior to reading the verse will allow the audience to know you are quoting scripture to support your point… versus sharing your own thoughts. They would come to that place of understanding upon hearing the verse at the end, but I think it creates better clarity to read the book and verse up front.)   Romans 5:1-4 declares, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.    When we face tribulation does it produce perseverance, character and hope or does it produce fear? (Bern, you could add a little more here, something like… “Tribulation is not enjoyable, but it is purposeful. God’s refining fire is not always pleasurable, but it draws the dross out of our lives and conforms us into the image of Christ… preparing us for glory.” I’d also suggest adding a transition sentence to explain why you are having them turn to John 12… and maybe a one sentence general overview of the John 12 passage)        Let’s turn to John chapter 12 and read the first seven verses. 1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. [Matthew and Mark, in the parallel accounts also tell us that the oil was held in an alabaster flask, and she broke the flask (meaning she committed it all to Jesus) and poured it on His head… reminiscient of kings of old being anointed, and Jesus is the KING of kings and LORD of lords.] And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son,who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. 7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of my burial.

Less than a week before His crucifixion, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha.  He attended a dinner perhaps to celebrate the raising of Lazarus from the dead.  It’s easy to imagine Martha bringing the best dishes, first to Jesus and then to Lazarus who was sitting at the table. She was so grateful and so happy. Mary gave a remarkable gift to Jesus. It wasn’t unusual to wash the feet of a guest, but it was unusual to do it during the meal itself, and to use a very costly oil of spikenard to do it, (cost of about a year’s wages) and to wipe the feet with her hair, using the hair as a kind of towel.   It is quite an expression of love and care that Jesus, knowing what was ahead for Him in Jerusalem wanted to spend time with His friends and the others gathered for the celebration.  He set aside the burden of the days ahead and joined in the celebration.  What a friend He is!   The phrase "one another" occurs 87 times in 79 verses in the New Testament. Approximately 59 of those occurrences are specific instructions teaching us how to relate to one another. This forms the basis for all true Christian community, and has a direct impact on our witness to the world. “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35).   Does your testimony identify you as a faithful church attendee or like Mary you are willing to take your mind off yourself and minister unselfishly to others… and to honor and give to our Lord His just due? His just due is everything. Mary gave to Jesus an incredibly expensive gift… perhaps her life savings… she anointed Jesus with a very costly oil of spikenard. In the Old Testament the Jews would recite “You shall love the LORD your God with ALL your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” He deserves it ALL!

Maybe weave this in…to emphasize Mary also choosing the “good part” sitting at Jesus’ feet… Luke 10:39-42 Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” New Living Translation reads verse 42 as “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

And, that was relationship with Jesus Christ. Friend… be sure to take the time to sit at Jesus’ feet daily… there are many cares of the world, but they are temporary. Use your time wisely to be sanctified by the word and to be prepared for glory. Sit at Jesus’ feet… not out of obligation, but as a love offering like Mary.

Let’s a turn to John chapter 13 (Bern, add a transition sentence to explain why you are having them turn to John 13) and read the first seven verses. 1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are you washing my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing youdo not understand now, but you will know after this.”

People sometimes have a serious dislike for feet. They cannot handle looking at bare feet, much less touching them. In Biblical times, the disciples would have walked around on filthy roads in sandals, the same roads the animals walked on.  Today we have athlete's foot, blisters, bunions, corns and who can forget all the commercials for curing toenail fungus? 1 Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.  As a friend Jesus showed us true humility and servanthood, in doing so He also modeled that we are to serve one another. 3,4  Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. There was no question about it; Jesus knew who He was, where He came from and where He was going.  In today’s culture we can find ourselves struggling with those same questions. Seemingly for some these questions have no real answer.  There is the left and the right, LGBTQ, the insanity of the pronouns and ungodliness at every turn.  In a world void of trust we long for real true friendship where we can experience encouragement, honesty, comfort, commitment, and forgiveness.  Jesus is the friend who wants to answer these questions for us.   5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Jesus didn’t just talk about what he was going to do – He Did It!  One of the well worn phrases in Christianity is “I’ll pray for you”, so often said and yet so often without follow-through. My Pastor learned from his Pastor, through observation, that when someone asks for prayer… pray for them right then and there. It’s a good practice.    6 - 7 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are you washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”  This verse comes from the moment when Jesus washes the disciples' feet, a humble act that puzzled the disciples. Peter, in particular doesn’t understand why his Lord would take on such a servant-like task.  Jesus is telling his disciples that they don’t need to fully comprehend everything in the moment and that their relational trust will later bring insight.  The foot-washing wasn’t just about humility; it pointed to the ultimate act of service, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Romans 12:10-13 declares “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” And that indeed is a great application for how we are to live as Christians.

At the end of John 13, Jesus announced to His disciples that He would depart, and in His absence He gave His disciples this command, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Today, we are still to be governed by this commandment of love… and in doing so OUR VERY LIVES stand as a testimony to one another and to the unbelievers of the world… who need the hope of Jesus.

We find these final scriptures we’ve looked at to be a blueprint for living what we say we believe.  Does this blueprint reflect what you believe or are there errors or discrepancies that need adjustments to ensure the design meets its intended purpose?     Conclusion:     •    Throughout these verses Jesus shows us that real true friendship with Him is where we can experience love, encouragement, honesty, support, commitment, and forgiveness.       •    Closing song: “What a friend we have in Jesus” Invitation Jesus has been a source of friendship, hope, peace, and purpose in my life, and I believe He offers that to everyone. I was born in 1948 and from a young age I faced challenges.  My mother was an Australian war bride.  She returned to Australia in 1952 when I was 4 years old and for the next 16 months I was in the care of my Irish immigrant grandparents.  This pattern of separation and foster care repeated itself for my growing up years.  At 12 years old I was welcomed into my Aunt and Uncles family, they had 12 kids and I was number 13.   As a young boy coming up in the Detroit area the exposure to the street culture was more than I could handle.  At 14 I was placed in reform school.  Afterword’s my troubles continued while attending public high school and I only managed to finish the ninth grade.   Law breaking and jail became the pattern up until the time the army wanted me.  I served as a combat infantry soldier in the Vietnam War and learned about discipline and order.  Unfortunately, I also learned about drug use.  For the next three years following my discharge from the army I found myself lost, alone, and searching desperately for something, anything to ease the pain of the rejection and abandonment that was the story of my life.  I was able to find a place among the outlaw bikers on the west side of Detroit.  Harleys, guns, and drugs were my life.  Law breaking and jail became common.  One night I was found on the floor of the clubhouse bleeding with a needle sticking out of my arm.  The guys picked me up and took me to the local VA center.  The guys said that I was in Vietnam and they needed to take care of me, they transported me to the VA hospital in Battle Creek Michigan for drug rehabilitation.  After almost nine months in lockup I was given a one day pass on September 9, 1972.  I rode the bus into town and looked for a park knowing that I might score some drugs.  I had not shaved or had a haircut for almost three years, the only clothing I had was jeans, t-shirt and a leather jacket.  I pulled out a cigarette and realized that I didn’t have a light.  I saw two girls sitting under some pine trees so I went over and asked for a light.  One of the girls replied that the only light she had was the Light of the World.  They invited me to a prayer meeting that evening it was then that I turned to the Lord and repented the Lord listened and the deep darkness of my life was shown the light of God’s forgiveness, mercy and compassion.  I pray that the love, grace and mercy that Jesus showed me that night will give you the confidence to seek Him.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever and He is listening for you right now, will you come and talk with Him?

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