What a Friend We Have in Jesus

09 Nov What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Read John 15:12-15
Thought for the Day: Jesus calls each of us ‘friend’!

It would be an oversimplification to say that Joseph Scriven lived a tragic life. After college, he fell in love with a young woman and was eager to spend his life with her. Tragically, his fiancée fell from a horse and drowned the day before their wedding. Searching for meaning, he traveled from Ireland to Canada and began tutoring local children. In Port Hope, he met his second fiancée before she fell ill and died of pneumonia. For the rest of his life, Scriven preached the Gospel, tutored children, and helped those in need.

Despite the tragedies he faced, Scriven lived his life knowing that he had one constant: Jesus was his friend. When his mother became ill back home in Ireland, he wrote for her what has become one of the most beloved hymns:

“What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, o what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!”

Jesus made it clear. We are His friends. As He told His disciples, “I have called you friends”. Let’s commit to following Him no matter the trials, temptations, or tragedies we face. No matter the season we go through, let’s pause to take time and reflect on the gift of friendship we have been given by Jesus!

In Christ,
Pastors Stan and David