Jesus Christ
friend as Jesus Christ. 6. Do we want "a tried and proved friend?" Such a friend is Jesus Christ Six thousand years have passed away since the Lord Jesus began His work of being a friend to mankind. During that long period of time He has had many friends in this world. Billions of people, unhappily, have refused His offers and been miserably lost forever; but millions on millions have enjoyed the mighty privilege of His friendship and been saved. He has had great experience on being a friend of sinners. (a) He has had friends of "every rank and station" in life. Some of them were kings and rich men, like David, and Solomon, and Hezekiah, and Job; some of them were very poor in this world, like the shepherds of Bethlehem, and James, and John, and Andrew: but every one of them were Christ's friends. (b) He has had friends "of every age" that man can pass through. Some of them never knew Him till they were advanced in years, like Manasseh, and Zacchaeus, and probably the Ethiopian Eunuch. Some of them were His friends even from their earliest childhood, like Joseph, and Samuel, and Josiah, and Timothy. But everyone of them were Christ's friends. (c) He has had friends "of every possible temperament and disposition." Some of them were simple plain men and women, like Isaac; some of them were mighty in word and deed, like Moses; some of them were fervent and warm-hearted, like Peter; some of them were gentle and retiring spirits, like John; some of them were active and stirring, like Martha; some of them loved to sit quietly at His feet, like Mary; some lived unknown among their own people, like the Shunamite; some have gone everywhere and turned the world upside down, like Paul. But everyone of them were Christ's friends. (d) He has had friends "of every condition in life." Some of them