Lord Jesus, continues to be my friend!

by Hilary Ryan Fernando

An elderly man who had never gone to school decided to learn to read. His greatest desire was to read the Bible so that God could speak to him through His word. But learning to read was not easy. Just becoming familiar with the alphabet was hard work. For several years this dedicated man kept at it. Finally, he was able to read, a little at first and eventually the entire New Testament. A few days after he had finished the last book of the Bible, with tears in his eyes he told a friend, "It was worth all that effort, just to be able to read St. John 3:16 - "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son".

One of the greatest evangelists who ever lived is D. L. Moody. Speaking about St. John 3:16 "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" he said, " I have never been able to preach from that text. I have often thought I would, but it is so high that I can never climb to its height; I have just quoted it and passed on. Who can fathom the depth of those words: "God so loved the world?"

Augustine of Hippo said this about God's love, "God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love." And Martin Luther said, 'God does not love us because we are valuable, but we are valuable because God loves us." Martin Luther also said, "Before I had children of my own, I used to think, 'God will not forget me', but when I became a father I learned something more - God cannot forget me".

There is a story coming to us from Persia. It is about King Shah Abbas who ruled the country for forty years in the sixteenth century. The king of Persia was one of the most powerful kings at that time and was known as the "King of kings" and the "guardian of the universe." However, famously down to earth, Shah Abbas kept an informal style of governance, often mingling with the common people. He is remembered as one of the few kings in Persian history who was concerned about his people. Source report him spending much of his time among them, personally visiting bazaars and other public places. Very often to understand the common man better he visited them in disguise.

One day the monarch was moving out of the Palace in disguise, when he noticed a little door in the Palace wall. Intrigued, he opened the door and found a narrow flight of steps going down to a dark cellar. There he saw a man, dirty and begrimed, tending huge furnaces to provide heat to the King's Palace. He spent time with him talking about many things. Again and again Shah Abbas visited him. Every time he visited him, he took with him some food, clothing for this poor man who was isolated from the rest of the world. The poor man longed for his visits. But the poor man didn't know that his friend was the King of Persia.

One day the fireman heard a huge procession coming along the road. It was the Royal procession of the King. Suddenly the procession stopped opposite his door. The door opened and the poor man was dazzled by the shining figure standing in the door-way. Then he heard the sound of footsteps coming down. He fell on his knees as he recognised the Shah of Persia, the king of kings. The King raised him to his feet and told him, "What can I give you, my friend as a gift?' It was the voice of his friend! The poor man realised it was the King who visited him so often! He was astounded beyond words!.

Then the fireman thought for a moment and answered, "You left your palace and your glory to sit with me in this dark place, to eat of my coarse food, to care whether my heart is glad or sad. To others you may bestow rich presents, but to me you have given yourself. I want only one thing and just one thing from you. Please do not withdraw your friendship from me - continue to be my friend."

Jesus left His glory by and came to our dark world, to live with us, to care for us and to befriend us. This Christmas let our prayer too be the same; "I want only one thing and just one thing from you. Please do not withdraw your friendship from me - Lord Jesus, continue to be my Friend!"