A True Friend

Devotional for Kids:

“There are ‘friends’ who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 [The Living Bible]

Friends are very important in our lives. They are there for us when everyone else lets us down. We can just be us and they will accept us and love us even when we mess up.

We can share our deep feelings with them about the things in life that are most important to us. They cheer us up when we are down. They spend time with us doing the activities which we like best; like going to the movies, playing Wii games or sports, or just hanging out.

Jesus placed great value on friendships. His disciples were his good friends. They believed in Him and supported Him.

Jesus was visiting at a friend’s house. This friend was Simon. He used to be a leper but Jesus had healed him. While he was there another friend entered; a woman. She carried a bottle of very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus’ head as he sat at the table. People did those kinds of things those days. It was an act of devotion. She was a true friend.

That same night another one of Jesus’ friends set out to betray Him. He wasn’t a true friend; he just pretended to be Jesus’ friend.

Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, went to the priests in the temple and set up a deal. He asked the priests how much they would pay him if he delivered Jesus to them.

The priests offered Judas thirty pieces of silver. It was exactly the same amount anyone had to pay to buy a slave. That’s all that Jesus was worth to Judas. He took the money and then began planning how he could hand Jesus over to the priests who wanted to kill Him.

Jesus knew what was going on. He is God. He knew this all had to happen so He could die on the cross for our sins.

While Judas was making his deal with the priests, Jesus taught his eleven disciples, his true friends, how to be a good friend. He even made it a rule, a commandment that He expected them and expects us to keep.

“Love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 14: 34 and 35 [The Living Bible]

Jesus also wants to be your friend. It’s up to you to choose. He will be a faithful friend. He will always be there for you.

Memory Verse for this week:
“Happy are those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 [The Living Bible]

Going Deeper as Parents:

Perhaps you have had a friend who turned out to be like Judas. This friend didn’t betray you to the extent Judas betrayed Jesus – to death- but nevertheless it was a betrayal. At first you were shocked that your friend whom you trusted and shared deeply with would deceive you. After awhile you might have realized why it happened.

As you contemplated your past relationship with this friend you realize your friend was never as loyal to you as you were to her. You recognize her character flaws which led her to deceive you. Maybe she was a person who always put herself first. Maybe she chose to please another person who was more important in her life than you and in so doing she chose to put you down.

Some friendships have a breaking point. When there is a disagreement we choose to please ourselves instead of our friend. Some friendships last forever. You know this friend is like a soul mate.

Jesus is a forever friend. He never leaves us. He never deceives or betrays us. We can trust Him. He has chosen to be our friend in giving his life for us. It is now up to us to choose to take Him as our friend and give our life to Him.

Ruth Willms

Author: The Lion Tree
http://ruthwillms.com
ruth.willms@gmail.com

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