Jesus' Immersion: a pattern, by David Harwood

After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17)

At the Messiah's Immersion we find:

a. Transformative and Empowering experience

b. Intimate self disclosure of Father's heart

c. Theological content concerning God and His Son's identity and relationship

d. Revelatory experience in the heavens opening and the Spirit appearing like a dove

 
What a pattern.

God's Love: Friendship, by David Harwood

One of the most beautiful verses in the Bible is John 15:13: Greater agape (love) has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Nobody has greater agape than our God. His love is as powerful as He is. His love is as deeply felt as He is all-knowing. The greatness of God’s love compels Him to go the distance for those who are His friends. The amazing thing is that you and I are friends for whom Jesus died.

Let’s consider the topic of friendship generally. What is friendship like? How do friends act towards one another? 

Friends often share common hopes; they confide in one another. 

Friends enjoy one another’s company and look after one another’s interests. 

Friendships are marked by open communication and trust. 

Friends are not afraid to correct one another when necessary, or to differ in their opinions. 

Friends often work together for a common goal. 

Friends care about one another; they bear one another’s burdens. 

These statements are descriptive of human friendships, and they are descriptive of the friendship God offers to us!

The Scriptures record God’s friendship with man. Let’s look at two extraordinary examples of men who are described as being God’s friends: Moses and Abraham. As we look at these verses together, it is helpful to know that the primary Greek word for friendship in the New Testament and in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) is philos. It comes from the word phileo, which, like agape, is a Greek word that means “love.”

First we’ll consider Moses. God pointed out the unique style of communication He had with Moses:

With him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the LORD. (Numbers 12:8a)

Moses is described as having a face to face relationship with God. The LORD was free and open in His communication with Moses. This open communication, this drawing near to share, is an aspect of God’s friendship with man. 

Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend (phileo). (Exodus 33:11a)

Just as a man converses with a close friend, so God conversed with Moses. Moses experienced the love of God in a similar way to our interaction with our closest friends!

Abraham is also called God’s friend. This is noted three times in the Scriptures. In the Septuagint Abraham is referred to as God’s agaped one (friend), twice.

"Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend (agape) forever? (2 Chronicles 20:7)

"But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend (agape) ..., (Isaiah 41:8)

Relying upon this sacred inspired word, James called Abraham ‘God’s friend,’ using the normal word for ‘friendship’ which comes from the root word phileo. James would have been familiar with the Greek word used for this friendship in the Septuagint, yet he used a different word. Why? To James, these two words agape and phileo were interchangeable. This is because friendship is an aspect of God’s love.

… and (Abraham) was called the friend (philos) of God. (James 2:23b)

God’s relationship to Moses and Abraham was identified as friendship. God’s love for you also includes a call to friendship.

God's friendship in the Incarnation, by David Harwood

In the New Testament, the Most High God’s capacity for friendship is clearly seen in the Incarnation. Jesus’ relationship with Lazarus and his family is a wonderful demonstration of the friendship of God. He ate with this family. (Luke 10:38-42) Jesus enjoyed spending time with them. His friendship with Lazarus is encapsulated in the term philos. Philos is the same term for friendship which James used to describe God’s relationship with Abraham. Look at Jesus’ description of Lazarus:

"Our friend (philos) Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." (John 11:11b)

Those who witnessed Jesus’ affection toward Lazarus described it as a deep affectionate love, a love which showed itself through Jesus’ emotions.

Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved (phileo) him!" (John 11:35-36)

The inspired writer describes this relationship as a manifestation of agape:

Now Jesus loved (agaped) Martha and her sister and Lazarus. (John 11:5)

This loving friendship is also seen in Jesus’ relationship with others. One of the most wonderful truths about the Messiah was first delivered as an accusation. His enemies said that He was a ‘friend of sinners.’ Well, He was. And He is. And He will be.

"The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend (philos) of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." (Matthew 11:19)

The friendship of God is an amazing thing. God agapes His friends. His agape notices and recognizes His friends; His agape responds to their friendship. God’s agape for us is affectionately devoted. God’s love can be sincerely expressed within the relationship we know as friendship. The Lord loves like a friend loves. He receives and responds to friendship. He is our Friend and loves us as a friend does. He is our devoted Friend.

Some of us feel unable to reciprocate His love. Perhaps we were on fire for Him at one time and now find ourselves to have nothing but ashes. How, then, can we qualify as His friends?

Remember, Lazarus was in no condition to reciprocate Jesus’ devoted affection. Lazarus was tomb-temperature, unresponsive, decaying and stinking. You may feel that describes your spiritual life. The death of condemnation comes and kills your hope. Look at Lazarus; Jesus came and raised him up. That’s what Jesus’ friendship can do for you.

The degree of agape Messiah has for us can be seen in the description Jesus gave of the uttermost limits of love: “Greater love (agape) has no man than this, than that he should give up his life for his friends (philon).” (John 15:13)

If this is so (and Jesus said it was), then what degree of agape has been demonstrated when Messiah gave up His life for His enemies?

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, [Messiah] died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Considering these verses together, we see that Jesus demonstrated the greatest love for those who were His enemies—those He considered to be potential friends, those He desired to be His friends. Those who were enemies were still precious to God!

Friendship with God through Faith, by David Harwood

By faith we take hold of redemption. Through faith we declare we are no longer alienated, but are His friends. If He died for you while you were His enemy, doesn’t He care for you now that you are His friend? Once you were His adversary, now you reconciled. Place yourself by faith into this identity: a friend of Jesus, a friend for whom He died. 

Now, let’s consider some questions. Will His death be in vain? Does He want you to know His friendship? Does He desire to communicate with you, to hear your heart, for you to hear His?

If you believe that you are His friend, and that Jesus is your Friend, then rely upon Him just like you would a trusted friend. As a friend, Jesus comes highly recommended.

Let’s pray: Living God, You are the Friend Who sticks closer than a brother. You are concerned with me and my life, and call me to share Your concerns. I pray that I may be someone who knows Your Friendship and reciprocates. I pray that I may know You in the person of Your Son, Jesus, in the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, and be conformed to His death, even the death of the cross, that I may share in the glories of the resurrection of the righteous.

"Mercy Triumphs" ... Why?, by David Harwood

God shows you mercy because He loves you.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with [Messiah] by grace you have been saved- (Ephesians 2:4-5 )

Brief revlection on Jesus' Affection, by David Harwood

The Messiah has great affection for you.

For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of [Messiah] Jesus. (Philippians 1:8)

His affection for you is just like His Father's.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (John 14:6-9)