Proverbs 18:24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. If these words had occurred in a book written any time A.D., we should unhesitatingly have referred them to our Lord; they are beautifully and perfectly applicable to him. For closer than any brother is he who is "not ashamed to call us brethren." I. HE COMES NEARER TO US THAN ANY BROTHER CAN. A human brother can draw very near to us in his knowledge of us and his brotherly sympathy with us; but not as Christ, our Divine Friend, can and does. His knowledge of us is perfect - of our hopes and fears, of our struggles and our sorrows, of our aspirations and endeavours, of all that passes within us. And his sympathy with us and his succour of us are such as man cannot render. He can pity us with a perfect tenderness of spirit, and he can touch our hearts with a sustaining and healing hand as the kindest and wisest of men cannot. II. HE IS ALWAYS THE SAME TO US; OUR BROTHER IS NOT. We can never be quire sure that our kindest brother will be in a mood or in a position to lend us his ear or his hand. But we have not to make this qualification or enter into this consideration when we think of Christ. We know we shall not find him too occupied to hear us, or indisposed to sympathize with us, or unable to aid us. He is always the same, and ever ready to receive and bless us (Hebrews 13:8). III. HIS PATIENCE IS INEXHAUSTIBLE; OUR BROTHER'S IS NOT. By our importunity, or by our infirmity, or by our unworthiness, we may weary the most patient human friend or brother; but we do not weary the Divine Friend; and even though we do that or be that which is evil and hurtful, which is painful and grievous in his sight, still he bears with us, and at our first moment of spiritual return he is prepared to welcome and restore us. IV. HE EVER LIVETH; OUR BROTHER MAY BE TAKEN FROM US. 1. Seek the lasting favour and friendship of Jesus Christ. 2. Realize the honour of that friendship, and walk worthily of it. 3. Gain from it all the comfort, strength, and sanctity which a close and living friendship with him will surely yield. 4. Introduce all whom you can to him, that they may share this invaluable blessing. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.WEB: A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |
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