READ: JOHN 15:13-15; ROMANS 8:28-39; HEBREWS 2:11

A true friend will be by your side through anything, good or bad. They won’t abandon you or just tell you what to do and then leave. They’ll be with you no matter what.

Jesus is our truest friend. He promises, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Jesus will never leave us in the dust. He loves us so much that He laid down His life for us. He took our sins upon Himself, even though He was sinless. He’d rather suffer and die on a cross than let us suffer an eternity without God—who is the Creator of the universe, the definition of good, and the source of life.

Jesus not only laid down His life for us, He took it up again. Through dying on the cross and rising from the grave, He defeated sin—the very thing that separates us from Him. Because of His mercy and grace, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is a friend of God.

Jesus is the truest and most extraordinary friend anyone could have. And, He is also our Brother. Jesus is God the Son, and He has made the way for us to become children of God the Father (John 1:12). Even though Jesus is fully God, He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters, because He has cleansed us of sin (Hebrews 2:11). Since He has done all this for us, we can lean on Him, no matter what comes. • Aidan Mencer

• Does anything surprise you in today’s devotion?

• What questions do you have about Jesus being our Brother and Friend? Who are trusted Christians in your life who could help you dig into Scripture and search for answers? (If you’re looking for a place to start, read Deuteronomy 31:8; Matthew 28:20; Luke 15:1-10; John 10:11-17; 14:18; Romans 5:1-11; Colossians 1:15-22)

• If you want to know more about what it means to belong to Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page.

A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (WEB)