My friend Greg had just dropped a 2000-pound bull buffalo called Nasty. But one large devoted bull refused to leave Nasty’s side after he was down. Realizing this animal could be quite a challenge, I decided I’d get my bow and take care of him. I grabbed my bow, some arrows, and broadheads, and began stalking the buffalo I’d decided to call Nasty II. This guy must have been a relative of Nasty’s; he wasn’t about to let me within bow range. I positioned my friend Bill, an excellent marksman with his 300 Win. mag., about 125 yards out and told him to take the powerful buffalo down if he started to charge.
I carefully moved in and waited for the bull to turn and look back to his fallen comrade. When he did, I pulled back my bow and aimed. The arrow’s forty-yard flight was true and hit exactly where I had aimed… sort of. Unfortunately, Nasty II had lifted his front leg just as I released. The arrow struck just above his elbow and he took off. Bill, a bit anxious, fired but missed. I knew the arrow wasn’t lethal and that I would have plenty of time to hunt Nasty II down. I started walking back when I noticed the bull reappearing from the thick brush. He was not going to leave his friend. Talk about loyalty! Nasty II was committed to protecting his fallen friend. I moved in for another shot. He spotted me and got really agitated, snorting and stomping the ground. This 1300-pound, freight-train-like beast raised his tail, signaling for attack. I moved closer. When I got about 45 yards from him, he changed position, attempting to move to higher ground. I placed a shot through his lungs. He ran for about 120 yards and fell over dead. What courage! What a fighter! We all cheered and triumphantly moved in to harvest both kills.
Nasty II had shown the kind of dedication, courage, and devotion we all look for in a godly friendship. I want to be that kind of friend, too. His example challenges me to look a little closer at myself:
- Do I come alongside my friends when life brings them down, or do I slink away, waiting till the “coast is clear”?
- Do I persevere with them, or do I just make a quick show of loyalty and then retreat?
- Is my commitment more important than my comfort?
- Can my friends really count on me?
The truth is, I’d like to say yes to all of those, but I don’t always do it perfectly. In fact, there’s only one Friend I know who does: Jesus. What devotion! What commitment! What perseverance and sacrifice! What a Friend we have in Jesus!
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:31-39
Personal Application: To what extent do you turn to Jesus for the kind of loyalty and support we all long for? Look over the bulleted list above. What can you do to be the kind of friend to others described here? Who in your life needs this kind of courage and commitment right now?
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5