Day 18 — A Friend Who Points to Jesus

“But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

— Hebrews 3:13 (BSB)

What makes someone a really good friend?

Maybe she’s fun. Maybe she makes you laugh. Maybe she likes the same things you do. Maybe she always has your back. Those are all great things!

But the Bible describes an even deeper kind of friendship: a friend who helps you follow Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews says, “Exhort one another daily.” To exhort means to encourage, urge or cheer someone on. It’s like a coach on the sidelines saying, Keep going! Don’t give up! You can do this!

Why is this so important? “So that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Sin is sneaky. It tricks us. It says, It’s no big deal. Everyone does it. Nobody will know. And little by little, our hearts can become hard, like clay left out in the sun. But a good friend can help keep your heart soft toward God.

Here’s what a friend who points to Jesus might do:

• Pray with you and for you.
• Remind you of what’s true when you’re believing lies about yourself.
• Encourage you when you’re discouraged.
• Say, “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” when you’re about to make a bad choice.
• Go to church or youth group with you.
• Talk about God in normal conversations, not just at church.
• Celebrate when you grow in your faith.

Notice the word “daily.” Not just once in a while. Every day, friends can build each other up.

And remember, this goes both ways. Don’t just look for a friend like this. Be a friend like this.

This week you’ve learned about loyal friendship like Ruth’s, including others instead of playing favorites, being drama-free, giving honey words and handling hurt God’s way. All of that comes together in this: be a friend who points others to Jesus.

A true story: Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie lived above their family’s watch shop in Holland. During a war, they hid Jewish families from soldiers in a secret room behind Corrie’s bedroom wall. When they were caught, the sisters were sent to a terrible prison camp. There, Betsie kept reminding Corrie, and everyone around them, that God’s love is deeper than any darkness. Betsie died in that camp, but Corrie lived to tell the whole world what her sister had taught her. Years later, she even forgave one of the cruel guards. Betsie was the kind of sister and friend who pointed Corrie to Jesus. You can read Corrie’s whole story in Brave for God.

Think about it: Do you have a friend who points you to Jesus? Are you that kind of friend to someone?

Try this: Encourage a Christian friend today. Tell her a Bible verse that’s helped you, or ask how you can pray for her, and then do it.

Dear God, thank You for friends who point me to You. Help me be that kind of friend. Help me encourage others every day and help keep their hearts soft toward You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.