Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Jesus is that third cord that strengthens a friendship and keeps it bonded when one is fallen, alone, or feels overpowered by life.
The absolute best example and standard of our greatest Friend ever is found in John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” It is an admonition for us to consider Jesus in our friendships and to be others-centered even if it means a sacrifice of time, resources, or ourselves.
May our prayer be, to be the best friend to our friends with Jesus as our bond and third cord.
-Brian Lee