John 12:1 (KJS) Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's [son], which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. 9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

What kind of a Friend are you? Are you a Forever Friend?

Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief. (Anonymous) A friend is one who knows you as you are, understands where you've been, accepts who you've become and still gently invites you to grow. Lawrence Peters has noted that you can always tell a real friend by the fact that when you've made a fool of yourself he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job.

1. An Inviting Friend… (Simon the leper and Lazarus) One who will open the door and ask you to come in. You are welcome to come in and sit down at the table to have a fellowship a sharing of you with him. Makes himself friendly by giving himself to you. Is not afraid to sit next to you at the table. A joy to be around and always grateful for all that they receive. Jesus is an inviting friend who wants to invite you to invite him into your life. Would you be an inviting friend?

Rev. 3:20 (KJS) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Would be willing to continuously invite others to our table in the church?

2. A serving Friend…. (Martha)

Invites you to sit down at their table and cooks, serves, and cleans up after you. Washes your dishes. Brings your meal to you and allows you to eat and pays the bill for you. Serves you first. Jesus was willing to clean up your mess and pay for your bill. He came as a servant although he is the King of Kings. He is our servant. There is a Bible verse which says: "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." (Prov. 18:24) That is saying a great deal, for a good brother will stick through thick and thin.

In a battle in Scotland, there were two brothers in the same regiment. Their army was beaten and was leaving the field. One of the brothers lay on the ground desperately wounded; but the other brother, also wounded, was still able to walk. Disregarding the entreaties of his brother, that he leave him to die and flee with the others, he stooped down and lifted him to his back and thus left the field. By and by, the warmth of the body of the brother who carried him revived the spirit and strength of the unconscious one; but the brother who carried him, when he had reached a place of safety, staggered and fell dead beneath him. One brother had given his life for another. Yet, we are told that there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. --McCartney

2. A sacrificing Friend….(Mary)

Is broken and spilled out for you. They humble themselves before you to make the sacrifice for your benefit without the thought of return. Mary gave the equivalent of a year’s wages to Jesus when she poured out the perfume for Jesus. Then she proceeded to wipe his feet with her hair. Mary’s gift to the Savior made an odor that filled the house, so that there was no doubt that she had given much to the Savior. Jesus is the sacrificing friend that has given his life for you.

Oceanside, Calif.: Mr. Alter's fifth-grade class at Lake Elementary School made headlines when the boys in the class decided by themselves to shave their heads. They did so, without embarrassment, because one of their own, Ian O’Gorman, developed cancer and had undergone chemotherapy. His hair began to fall out. To make their friend feel at home, to feel one with the crowd, all his classmates agreed to shave their heads, with their parent's permission, so that upon his return, Ian would not stand out from the class. No one would know who the "cancer kid" was. The teacher, Mr. Alter, was so moved by the spirit of his class that he too shaved his head.

3. A Pretending (WANNA BE) Friend… (Judas) This is a person who is close to you but never considers your needs over his or hers. This person is always putting their wants first. Judas was just such a friend. He was always there with the moneybag but he was not there for Jesus. Soon after the dinner he began to consort with the Pharisees on Jesus’ betrayal. He was always looking for ways to help himself to the goods.
4. A Forever Friend…(Jesus) Jesus will be your forever friend and never leave you. Will you be a forever friend? How have you been a friend to others?

These are the Forever Friends. What makes the difference in these Friends? Their relationship to Jesus was the key. Are you a forever friend?

How close were they to the Savior?

Lazarus was close enough to eat with Him and recline with him at the table.

Martha was close enough to cook him dinner and serve him.

Mary was close enough to smell his feet and anoint them with the costly perfume.

Judas was close enough to kiss Him but didn’t know him. Do you know him?

He is Salvation. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary chose to give themselves to him, but Judas chose himself over Jesus.

How close are you to the Savior? Would you come to get close to him today?