459. PRO 18:24. CHRIST THE BEST FRIEND

Pro_18:24. Christ The Best Friend

"A friend that sticketh closer than a brother"’97Pro_18:24.

To none can these words be so truly applicable as to Jesus. His conduct was so gracious, and his Spirit so benign and condescending, that his enemies proclaimed him "A friend of publicans and sinners." In this they rightly set him forth’97it was his delight; the joy of his heart, to exhibit the fulness of his love to the wretched worthless children of men. Nothing has more frequently been the topic of conversation, the subject of eulogium, and the theme of song, than friendship. Striking instances have been recorded on the pages of history, and handed down for the admiration of posterity. Friendship has been represented under the idea of one heart and spirit animating and influencing two bodies. An appropriate illustration of true affection and kindredness of soul which forms the very essence of true friendship. Let us,

I. Take a view of the Evidences of the Friendship of Christ to Man.

This was seen,

1. In the compassion and pity which he felt towards our apostatizing race.

He saw man guilty, self-ruined, ungodly, perishing. Without a plea of self-vindication. Without one redeeming trait of character, or one reason why the displeasure of his affronted Lord, should not descend upon him But even then Christ’s heart moved with compassion, and his bowels yearned in mercy over his guilty creatures 2. In the purposes which he formed for his redemption.

All his thoughts, and purposes, and counsels, were fraught with friendliness and love. He saw his misery, and contemplated and purposed his recovery. He committed himself to his rescue and salvation. He resolved to pass by all his repulsive foulness and pollution, and to adopt an expedient for his purification and help.

3. In the means he employed for his salvation.

He became surety for him. He engaged to be his Redeemer. He clothed himself with our nature, and thus became our true brother. Then he gave himself as the voluntary victim to bear, in his own body, our sins upon the tree. He left glory, and riches, and praises, and honor, and divine blessedness, and became abased, and vilified, and poor, and the subject of scorn, and malice, and hatred, and, above all, died a malefactor’s death, to secure riches, and bliss, and honor, and eternal life, for mankind.

4. In the blessings which he obtained for his enjoyment.

These are various, and include all good both for body and soul. They comprehend the unsearchable riches of his grace, and the boundless and everlasting riches of glory. By these he is the recipient of pardon, adoption, holiness, and eternal life:

"Slaves are made partners of his throne,

Deck’d with a never-fading crown."

II. The peculiar Features by which Christ’s Friendship is distinguished.

1. Entire disinterestedness.

It is not possible that Jesus, who is Lord of all things, could be profited by his dependent creature man. Oh no, he had his good, his real and eternal good only at heart. He sought not his, for what had he which Christ had not bestowed?

2. Amazing condescension.

It is wonderful condescension in our divine Lord to behold the things which are upon earth; but how much more marvellous, that he should visit man, become his kinsman, live with him, and die for him 3. Unshaken constancy.

Having undertaken to be the friend of men, he carried out his design to the utmost. With the cost and sacrifice before him, his pity never failed, his good will abated not, his dying prayer attested his unfailing and devoted regard for our well-being and salvation. And although eighteen centuries have rolled since his resurrection and ascension to his Father’s right hand, his gracious attachment to the interests of sinners is as ardent and tender as ever. Still it is true of him,

"His bowels melt with tenderness,

His heart is full of love."

4. Unlimited ability.

As his heart is full of immutable love, so his power to help is equal to the infinity of his grace.

(1) He is never far from us A friend near to us at all times and in all places.

(2) His resources are inexhaustible. He possesses every good we can need, and he is disposed every moment to impart it to us.

(3) He can ward off all evils, silence the tongues of all adversaries, and deliver us from all our enemies. He is every day and hour the help and shield of his people. He gives grace, &c.

(4) Having immortality and life in himself, those interested in his regards will never be deprived of his mercy and love. He will be our guide unto life’s termination, our solace in death, and our portion forever. Notice,

III. The Duties which Christ’s Friendship involves.

His friendship,

1. Should be reciprocated.

He calls us to be his friend, and tells us how we may exhibit our friendship towards him. We cannot be Christ’s friends if we are in league with his enemies,’97with sin and Satan. He requires us to abandon these. Then we must also exhibit our love to him and our confidence in him, by receiving his words, embracing his truth, imbibing his spirit, following his steps, and keeping his commandments. "Ye are my friends if ye do," &c. His friendship,

2. Should be gratefully acknowledged. Our mouths and hearts should extol it.

We should celebrate it from day to day,’97

"Praise should employ our highest powers,

While life or thought or being last,

Or immortality endures."

3. It should be ardently cherished.

How careful we should be not to grieve, act to displease him. How solicitous to please him and honor him. How deeply we should value his friendship, and how ready to relinquish every thing incompatible with it. By constant intercourse, and frequent visits to his palace and throne, should the friendly spirit be cultivated, and its ardor excited. It should indeed be a growing friendship, deepening and enlarging through all time and through all eternity.

4. It should be universally recommended

"Should we not tell to sinners round,

What a dear Saviour we have found?"

Oh yes, everywhere should we speak of the preciousness of Christ. The love of Christ. The graciousness of Christ.

Application

1. Are we Christ’s friends? If not, how wicked and ungrateful. If we are such let humble gratitude celebrate it day by day.

2. Urge the sinner full, of enmity now to be reconciled to him.

3. The doom of his adversaries will be fearfully terrible.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS