snowboy’s

Friends… What do you think about ‘friends’ Are they your companions during your joy and laugh? How do you describe ‘friends’?

We might define a friend as someone who is with us during our joy or during our sad. When we are happy, we share them our happiness and laughter. When we are down, they are our ’shoulder to cry on’. Spending time with them might let us forget our problems and thoughts. Is that how you define ‘friends’?

I have a better definition. Friends are also a pain in the ass. To go straight to the point, let me give you a very nice analogy from, of course, the Gospel. It is between Jesus and the disciple He believes the most, Peter.

Peter turned into the most brilliant disciple when he proclaimed that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus responded very positively (a father said that it is because Peter made the statement in Caesarea Philippi, where some people do not believe in God) and rewarded him with a great responsibility by saying directly and spesifically to him: thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18, KJV). Even more, He said: And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19, KJV).

Never again Jesus said such things to another people in the Gospel. It is a big and huge trust Jesus gave to Peter, that Catholic church considers Peter as the first pope and his anointment he got directly from Jesus is passed through years and generations until the current Pope, Benedictus XVI. Up to that point, Peter must have been the best disciple. Is he?

Moments before Jesus was to be sentenced to crucified, Peter made the opposite statement, denying Jesus thrice, exactly as what Jesus told him before (Matthew 26:69-75). How would you feel if someone you trusted a lot denied and betrayed you when you need him the most? How would Jesus feel? What would He do? Did He stop and be disappointed? I believe he did not and was not. He still faced the judgement, tortures, and the cross.

In fact, after He rose, He came to His disciples and asked Peter thrice, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” And thrice he answered that he loves Him (John 21:15-17). Even after He was denied, Jesus still trusted Peter with huge responsibility by asking him to feed His lambs. And Jesus’ anointment still exists until today.

Can you treat your friends the way Jesus treated Peter? If you can, you might have found a best friend. So, you need to add one more definition to the word ‘friends’. Friends are sometimes those who caused the problem. Friends are the pain in the ass. But in the end, we forgive them and reconcile with them, because they are our friends.

Here is one nice and simple poem about friends. Enjoy it. God blesses you.