“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends… No longer do I call you servants . . . but I have called you friends.” (John 15:13, 15)

Joseph Scriven's life was marked by tragedy and loss. He experienced the pain of losing two loves—first, his fiancée who tragically drowned on the eve of their wedding, and then, another love, Elisa Roche, who succumbed to pneumonia before they could marry. Despite his personal sorrows, Scriven was known for his selfless acts of kindness, such as helping the poor and sick who were unable to help themselves. His life ended in obscurity and ill-health, but his legacy lives on through a hymn he penned, believed to be written for his ailing mother. In the midst of his own trials, Scriven pondered the faithfulness of friendship. Can we truly find a friend who stands by us in our darkest moments? His answer, encapsulated in a simple refrain, echoes through the ages: Take it to the Lord in prayer, for Jesus is a friend who bears our burdens and shares our sorrows.



As beings created in the image of God, we are inherently relational creatures. Just as the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—exists in perfect community, we too are designed for friendship and companionship. In our journey of faith, we need friends who walk alongside us, caring for us, helping us grow in our knowledge of God, and holding us accountable in our pursuit of Christ.

True friendship requires vulnerability and honesty. It means speaking truth in love, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable. Jesus, who knows our every weakness and yet still calls us friends, exemplifies this unconditional love. He invites us into a deeper relationship with him, offering forgiveness, trust, and unwavering support. In the end, Jesus is not just a friend; he is the ultimate friend. He laid down his life for us, demonstrating the depth of his love and commitment. He invites us to trust in him, to lean on him in times of trouble, and to rest in the assurance that he will always be there for us. What a friend we have in Jesus!



Pastor Seok-Hwan

REFLECTION AND PRAYER:

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

 All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge—

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

(Composer: Charles C. Converse (1868)

Lyricist: Joseph M. Scriven (1855)