Friendship is one of the most important things in life. We all need people who we can trust, who we can be ourselves around, and who will be there for us.
For the last 40 days or more, I have established friendships with fellow learners who are part of the first-ever “Global Summer Institute of Theological and Intercultural Studies (Global SITIS) 2023” held at the Divinity School of Chung Chi College, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
What can we learn from the Bible about Jesus and friendship?
Here are three things that we can learn about friendship from Jesus:
First, true friendship is based on love. Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). True friendship is not about what we can get out of it, but about what we can give. It is about loving our friends unconditionally, even when they make mistakes.
Second, true friendship is about being there for each other. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). True friends are willing to put their own needs aside to help their friends. They are there for each other through thick and thin.
Third, true friendship is about sharing life together. Jesus said, “I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father” (John 15:15). True friends share their lives with each other. They talk to each other about their hopes and dreams, their fears and failures. They share their joys and sorrows.
Jesus is our friend. He loves us unconditionally, He is always there for us, and He shares His life with us. If we want to have true friendships, we should follow the example of Jesus. We should love our friends, be there for them in any situation, and share our lives with them.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications