Msg #1513 This Week Know Your Friend

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

Palm Sunday marks a Christian's calendar with an importance that disciples explore enthusiastically. For Israel, on the tenth day of Abib, the passover lamb was separated from the flock and watched until the fourteenth day of the month. It was to be without spot or blemish. Our Lord Jesus Christ was separated from the rest on Palm Sunday. He taught daily in the temple and prayed daily with his disciples. He purged the temple of money changers on Sunday and again on Monday. He wept over Jerusalem, and cursed a fig tree. He taught parables and his authority angered the Scribes and Pharisees. There was a widows mite, an Olivet discourse, and a friends betrayal. On the fourteenth day of the month they crucified him. He died as our Passover Lamb. In those days of examination Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Our friend walked through these four days in full public view. Each day and each event is carefully recorded for a disciple's study. Such detail is hidden from Rome. It cannot be seen by Protestants with Good Friday leftovers. But for the believers who reject her traditions and open his pages, there is wealth and wisdom about a friend which sticketh closer than a brother. Religionists go to a Roman Good Friday celebration, Bible students go to a midweek prayer meeting and remember the last supper in his presence. “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Pr 17:17). “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (18:24). “Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not” (27:10a).Let Jesus be your closest friend on this most precious week.

An Essay for week #13 Mar 29, 15

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs150329.mp3

Tablet or phone at http://www.gsbaptistchurch.com/ppulpit/biblesays15.pdf

In paperback at www.lulu.com/spotlight/GSBaptistChurch