March 7, 2025 -- Philippians 2:19-24 -- I have no one like Jesus

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
Philippians 2:19-24 ESV
 
Prison is clarifying. When you’re in prison those who were your friends because they can get something from you, or are friends because you are useful to them, or are fair weather friends, leave. Paul is in prison. Timothy stuck by him. No wonder Paul can write of his proven worth. What kind of friend are you? At the first sign of trouble do you leave your friends? Will you remain a friend when the other person fails, badly? Will you remain a friend through betrayals?
 
Jesus describes Himself as our Friend (John 15:14-15). What a statement that is. He knows all His disciples will abandon Him, one will betray Him, another will deny Him. Yet He endured. In fact, He suffered, was condemned and then crucified. All His disciples scattered for the trial which condemned innocent Jesus. Peter, in the courtyard where the trial was taking place vehemently denied Jesus. Called a curse on himself rather than acknowledging Jesus. John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, did not even stand with Peter and call him out and help keep him steady in Christ. He was silent as Jesus was slandered. After His resurrection on the third day, Jesus sought out His disciples. They’d locked themselves in a room, because they were afraid of the authorities. He approached them. He spoke healing peace to them. He showed Himself to be the true friend Who sticks closer than a brother.
 
The life of a Christian is compelling precisely because a Christian friend is a true friend who stands by you through the worst life has to offer. A Christian friend has the courage to tell you to your face when you are wrong and still loves you. Post betrayal a Christian friend is still prepared to meet with you. A Christian friend, like Jesus, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (I Corinthians 13:7). Your Christian friend is not gullible nor participating in your wrongdoing. It is the Christian friend who believes no matter how broken the situation is now, how ruined things are, it is in the power of and for the God to repair it, or to use the pain and suffering for your instruction and that too is for His glory.
 
Father in heaven how vast and high and wide and deep is Your love for me. It is almost too hard to really sit with and meditate on it. My sin and wretchedness, my betrayals and rebellion against You, punished on the Person of Jesus so that I can be called Your beloved child. Thank You for the clearest demonstration of Your love which has been openly declared to me through Jesus Christ. Thank You for the presence of Your Spirit Who lives in me as a believer and Who continually instructs me in the love of Jesus that wells up in me to eternal life. Amen.
 

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