John 11: 16 Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”[1]
Proverbs 18: 24 A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother[2]
All of life is a lonely journey. We are born alone, and even if there is a mass casualty, we still die alone in flesh. Our journey into and out of this world is solitary. Yet, that is the fleshly journey of humanity. There abides within each of us the ability to be bonded to someone beyond ourselves and always within reach of companionship. Thomas felt such a kinship a connection to Jesus that even though he questioned his motives in returning to certain death, he would not allow him to go alone. Being in the presence of Jesus had elicited such deep bonding, such deep love that his peril was personal, and he considered his life not worthy of living if Jesus was not there to journey with him.
Seldom would our journey find such devotion to the flesh. Self-preservation is so deeply ingrained in our flesh, that in the last-ditch moment, every disciple fled when Jesus was taken captive. Bravado is always on display when the stakes are not physically evident. But when the reality of suffering manifests, it is our nature to flee pain, hardship, and suffering. 2 Timothy 2:3 instructs us “Suffer hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus,[3] but does this mean we should do so alone?
Matthew 26: 38– 40 “He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me. And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?”[4]
“My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man, he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.”Job 16:20-21 We expect so much from friendship and yet still, sometimes it fails. Jesus needed and wanted companionship during his last agonizing moments in the flesh. But then, just as now, it was not found in the flesh. Luke 22:43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.[1]
But what of this friend that sticks closer than a brother? Does this exist? Will flesh sacrifice for flesh? Truly we know that this happened on the cross, but what about now? Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? When two walk together in agreement, there is both strength and encouragement in the journey as both lean on the same source for encouragement.
John 15:12-13 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” The strength to stand together is inherent in the strength to stand alone before Christ knowing that what is temporal and separating in the flesh, is unifying in the spirit. In the spirit, we are never alone. Here, we are never separated.
Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
[1]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Lk 22:43.
[1]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 11:16. [2]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Pr 18:24. [3]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), 2 Ti 2:3. [4]The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), Mt 26:37–40.