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"No, Not One"
“A man without a companion is like a left hand without the right” (The Talmud). The importance of friendship cannot be overstated. God made us social creatures, and He reveals companionship among the people in the Bible: David and Jonathan, Job and his three friends, the apostles being sent out two by two.
But what about God as our companion? Certainly we are to revere and fear Him. We are to worship Him as holy and honor Him as our Father. Abraham did that. He built altars; he worshiped; he obeyed. But three times, he is called “the friend of God” (2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8; Jam. 2:23). Can you imagine God calling you, “My friend”? Or speaking “face to face” with you, the way a man speaks to his friend, as He did with Moses (Ex. 33:11)?
Jesus was called the “friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 11:19). He said to the apostles, “no longer do I call you slaves...but friends” (John 15:15). To the multitudes, “I say to you, My friends” (Luke 12:4). Each time, the same Greek word is used (philos), which means “beloved” or “loved.”
In your search for companionship, find a friend in Jesus. As the wise man said, “two are better than one” (Eccl. 4:9). You are better with Him than without Him.
Jesus bears the burden no one else can bear. “For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up” (Eccl. 4:10). The traveler in Solomon’s time often fell prey to accidents and perils on the road. Falling into a pit was not an uncommon thing. Friends can help us with the troubles and pitfalls along the journey of life. They can assist with financial crunches. They can care for us when we get sick and serve us when we are in need. But there is one burden that we are absolutely helpless to do anything about. There is one fall that no friend can lift us out of.
Find a friend in Jesus; He did what no other friend could do. When we were lost and estranged from God, our friend came near for us (see Eph. 2:13-16). The “friend of sinners” wants you to become the friend of God again. It’s not just a matter of someone be willing to do that for us. It’s the fact that no one else could. “There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, none else could heal all our soul’s diseases.” No, not one.
Jesus comforts in ways no one else can. “Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone” (Eccl. 4:11)? In the culture when this was written, two travelers were able to keep each other warm on a cold, desert night. Our friends can surround us and comfort us when we need spiritual warmth. But even that companionship has its limitations.
Find a friend in Jesus; He always understands what you’re going through (see Heb. 4:15). He understands about dealing with death. Remember, at the tomb of Lazarus, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). He knows what that feels like. He understands about stress from your time and attention being in constant demand. There were occasions when there were so many people coming and going that He didn’t even have time to eat (Mark 6:31). His response? Compassion! He understands when people disappoint you. What did He do about it? He went up to the mountain and spent the whole night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12). “Jesus knows all about our struggles.” Take it to your Friend in prayer.
Jesus strengthens when no one else stands. “And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him” (Eccl. 4:12). When we have a companion, we become stronger for the simple reason that there are two of us. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. But even our closest friends cannot guarantee what Jesus can. Sometimes, they move away. Sometimes, they die. Sometimes, they turn on us. Sometimes, we grow apart.
Find a friend in Jesus. He is always there. What was one of the last things He said to the apostles? “Lo, I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20). You have a friend who is with you in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Who stands with you when none else will. “There’s not an hour that He is not near us. No, not one!”
Jesus Himself said, “Greater love has man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). You won’t find a better friend than Him. No, not one!
