Lazarus, part 1 - "Our friend Lazarus is sleeping" John 11:11

Notes from Sunday's Sermon April 10 2011

Did you notice how many people in the Bible are called "friend" to God?  Abraham and Moses, I guess, and possibly also David and maybe Elijah.  Not too many of them in the Old Testament, really.


And there aren't many in the New Testament, either.  John is called "the disciple whom Jesus loved" so that would count, I guess.  but before the Last Supper, when Jesus told the disciples "I no longer call you servants, but friends" there's only one person He refers to as a friend - Lazarus of Bethany.


Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary opened their home to Jesus and the disciples whenever they were in town.  In fact, it seems as though He stayed there quite often.  He must have found it a quiet place of refuge - a place to relax and kick back in the company of friends, and let the cares and worries of His ministry go by for a while.


We make a great deal about Jesus being our Friend.  We sing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and praise Him for His willingness to receive all our cares and sorrows.  But who of us is Jesus' friend?  Is there a place in your life (or mine) where Jesus is just welcome to come in, to relax, to kick back and enjoy being in your company?  Or is it that every time you (or I) run into Jesus you're asking for some favor or some blessing?  Is Jesus as welcomed and comfortable in your life (or mine) as He was in the home of Mary and Martha and Lazarus?  Or would we be just as happy if He would update us on Facebook rather than show up unannounced?


Jesus not only called the disciples "friends," but because we are their children in faith we are His "friends", too.  So how do I treat my other friends?  How can I treat Jesus like He's one of them, too?