As we close the week looking at Friendship With Jesus, a beautiful old hymn, let's finally get to the chorus part which is repeated between the verses in the song:
Friendship with Jesus, fellowship divine
O what blessèd, sweet communion
Jesus is a friend of mine!
Jesus Is a Friend of Mine
Notice how personal this is? Yes, we read in the Scriptures that Jesus said to His disciples that He called them friends. But the songwriter has realised that this extends to all believers in Christ. So he can say, Jesus is a friend of mine!
Maybe you've met somebody who likes to name-drop! They take some pride in having met or interacted with somebody well-known, and they make sure you are aware of their connection! Well friends, of course pride is not the word, but certainly we can be amazed that Jesus is a friend of ours! If you know Him personally, then I'm sure singing that line will be special for you.
So, are you taking the time to have blessed, sweet communion with your Friend Jesus? Is your life one filled with fellowship divine as you spend time with Him?
Sweet Communion With Jesus Doesn't Always Need Words
I used to think that this sort of thing meant I had to talk at God a lot. That real prayer was me on my knees just talking and talking to God. But lately I have come to realise that this is not always necessary. Sometimes the best times you can have with God are the times of silence and rest.
I read this little story in an old Nazarene magazine: Two great literary men of England were contemporaries. One afternoon one paid the other a visit. Upon his arrival, the other invited him to sit and think with him; not to talk, just to think. After three hours without a word being exchanged, the visitor rose to go, reached for his hat, and remarked as the other escorted him to the door, "This has been a very enjoyable and stimulating afternoon."
Maybe sometimes, blessed and sweet communion with our Friend Jesus doesn't have to be talk talk talk! Maybe sometimes it is just sitting and thinking with Him, with no words needed.
How to Hear Jesus Speak to You
Sometimes it might be that a Bible passage knocks your socks off, and you know that He spoke to you in it. Or sometimes it's a song, or a sentence spoken by someone else, that makes you realise your Friend Jesus is speaking to you.
Here's the point: get quiet with Him often. It doesn't have to be this intense thing - it can just be you and Him in each other's presence. If you make a habit of this, you'll listen to this song again some time and smile, because you'll know that "blessed, sweet communion" of which the lyricist writes!
Go and listen to the song on YouTube, and perhaps you might be so kind as to buy the album that I released it on. It's on my website.
Have a blessed weekend and know that you have a friend in Jesus!
Communion with Jesus does not always need words. Set aside time today to be silent in His presence.