Thursday | 25 June 2026

A friend of Christ

As a man gives himself as a slave of righteousness, Christ, through His messengers, says to him, ‘Greater love has no‑one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.’ Joh 15:13‑15.

A man who has become the friend of Christ is a friend of the presbytery, and is a friend of those in the presbytery. As we have just read, their love in this fellowship is ‘greater love’ than even their love for a woman. This expression of ‘first love’ was demonstrated by David and Jonathan who honoured and affirmed each other’s sanctification. 1Sa 23:17. Reflecting on their bond of fellowship, David said, ‘I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me; your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.’ 2Sa 1:26. The apostle John also testified of this love, identifying himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ and recounting that he leaned on Jesus’ bosom at the last Passover meal. Joh 13:23.

Watchmen are appointed by the Lord and are set upon ‘the walls’ of the heavenly Jerusalem. He declared, ‘I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night [looking for those upon whom their peace may rest]. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.’ Isa 62:6‑7. They are the keepers, or overseers, of the walls. Son 5:7.