Friends

'Friends', the much watched and enjoyed TV series, sheds light on many aspects of how friends can support one another. Through the often repeated 236 episodes of foolish and childish behaviour patterns, humour (or should I write 'humor'?) keeps saving the day. I guess that is why it kept going for so long. 

However, within those 236 episode, for instance, serial sexual encounters are presented as normal, and careful students have noted that 86 of these take place, and are brushed off as though they were like catching a cold. This presentation of 'normal life' has in consequence shaped how many people now think they can and should live.

Is there a better model for friends to guide them in their relationships with one another? I believe so.

The disciples of Jesus had grown close to one another, and after the death of Jesus they were traumatised. One of their number, Judas Iscariot, had led to Jesus' arrest, which had led to his death. In the normal pattern of Roman executions, his closest followers would have anticipated their own arrest. They were fearful, together. 

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said.' (John 20.19) That experience was not something enjoyed by all the disciples. 'One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 

They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” (John 20.24-25)

How did the friends of Thomas behave? Did they ignore him, or dismiss him? We cannot know for certain. However, 'Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”  

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.' (John 20.26-28)

It seems very likely to me that the reason Thomas was with his other friends on that second Sunday evening was because his friends made sure he was there. They played their part in ensuring that he too could meet Jesus.

It seems to me that this is a role we can all play, as we care for friends and family members, who, for many reasons, may have dropped out of regular participation in Christian worship. 

I know that I owe a great deal to those Christian friends who have supported me when it might have been easier to ignore me. Lets all play our part, for the sake of others.

Best wishes,

Richard