Jesus Makes a Very Good Best Friend

What Makes a Good Friend?

Do you have a friend? A really good friend you might say is your best friend? It's good to have friends — but how do you know if a person is your friend? What might they do?

• They might play with you.
• Share food and toys.
• Visit you or invite you to their place.
• Help when you need it.
• Sit with you when you are sad and maybe try to cheer you up.

Jesus makes a very good best friend. In the Bible story today, we hear how Jesus helped his friends when they were sad.

Jesus' Hands Were Kind Hands

When I was small, I was taught a song about Jesus and how he helped people. It goes like this:

Jesus' hands were kind hands, doing good to all,
Healing pain and sickness, blessing children small,
Washing tired feet, and saving those who fall.
Jesus' hands were kind hands, doing good to all.

This song tells us the kind of things that Jesus does — the kind of things a friend might do. Jesus makes a very good best friend.

Jesus Visits His Sad Friends

When Jesus' friends were sad because their brother had died, Jesus came to visit them. He sat with them and cried with them. Then he was able to help them in a special way — to bring Lazarus back to life.

Using Our Hands to Help Others

Jesus likes it when we help others too. We can help people by:

• Picking up something that has been dropped.
• Helping carry something that is too heavy for one person.
• Taking our plates to the sink or dishwasher after our meal.
• Tidying up our toys when we finish playing.
• Doing things when we are asked — without grumbling!

There's another verse in that little song that talks about helping others:

Take my hands, Lord Jesus, let them work for you.
Make them strong or gentle, kind in all I do.
Let me watch you, Jesus, till I'm gentle too,
Till my hands are kind hands, quick to work for you.

I wonder — what can you do to help other people?