Friendship

In today's world of social networking, a time when Facebook recently reached its 500 millionth member, it's difficult to define a "friend". I have over 900 "friends" on Facebook, but how many do I have an actual relationship with? Maybe a few hundred. And how many would meet Jesus' definition of a real friend— "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13)? I could count them on one hand, if any. But more importantly, would I give my life for a friend? I really don't know.

Three things are integral to a friendship: time, trust, and talk. These are virtually nonexistent in the majority of my facebook "friends." So now we must specify using the "Top Friends" application because the term "friend" has become so trite.

There are three levels of intimacy in friendship, which Jesus modeled here on earth. Acquaintances are the people we know and converse with occasionally, but the connection lacks trust. These are analagous to Jesus' numerous disciples, the mob that followed him. Next come friends, who are closer. Jesus' 12 apostles represent this group. Finally are the closest group of friends— for Jesus: Peter, James, and John. They would— and did— give their lives and were his closest confidantes.