This Proverb says, a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” A person can choose their friends. However, they cannot choose their relatives. Our friends are those with whom we are compatible.
Generally speaking, our friends value the same things that we value. They also see things like we do. They likely share our world view. However, a sibling doesn’t necessarily share our values or our world view.
We are more likely to have conflicts with a brother who doesn’t share our values than we are with a friend who does share our values. Jesus experienced this during His life on Earth.
Jesus had four brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him, even when He demonstrated miracles and gathered a following. However, Jesus’ disciples did believe in Him. He was closer to his disciples than He was to His brothers.
Jesus disciples became His friends. They loved Jesus and expressed a willingness to die for Him. Jesus loved them as well. He said to them, “This is my commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Jesus did die for his friends: for his disciples, for you and me, for all who would believe in Him.
Jesus’ death atoned for our sins and provided the only way to Salvation. To find that way, we must believe in Jesus and live our lives according to the Word of God. There is no other way.
