Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 September 2026 John 15:13.
John 15:13. Greater LOVE hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
The Sundays just keep rolling around my people, but that’s the way the Lord designed it, so we must accept it with good grace, and keep gathering in His sanctuary with other believers in joyful fellowship, so we can give Him the praise and thanksgiving He so richly deserves. How did the psalmist put it? ‘Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.’ (Ps. 100:4-5)
And those are certainly good enough reasons for us to gather in worship every Sunday, on His day. And we’ll open today’s worship with a hymn that’s chocked full of much truth and is rather appropriate for these turbulent times. It’s titled ‘What A Friend We Have in Jesus.’ It was written in 1855 near Port Hope Ontario, by Joseph M. Scriven (1819-1886), an Irish immigrant to Canada.
According to the Hymnary.org website, it seems that Scriven’s life was filled with many trials and tribulations; for instance, he wanted to have an army career, but poor health nixed that ambition. Then on the eve of their wedding in 1844 his fiancée died in a drowning accident. After that he moved to Ontario as a teacher. However, his life plans were again thwarted when his new fiancée died after a short illness. Apparently, his life took a downward plunge from there, with him not working regularly, living in other people’s homes and experiencing mistrust with neighbours because of his eccentricities.
He was also a member of the Plymouth Brethren, and tried to live according to the Sermon on the Mount as literally as possible, giving and sharing all he had and often doing menial tasks for the poor and physically disabled. Because Scriven suffered from depression, no one knew if his death by drowning in Rice Lake was suicide or an accident. And since his life was apparently filled with much solace and grief, it’s no wonder he was able to write such a powerful, consoling hymn.
Now, having had some background on the hymn’s author, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a soulful, heartfelt, mid-tempo version of the song, singing out its awesome truth to all who hear it. Singing: ‘ What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer! – Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer! – Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge– take it to the Lord in prayer! Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there. What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!… What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!’
Oh friends, that is the most wonderful and extraordinary privilege we have in this life! Wow! Those who don’t know Jesus really don’t know what a thrill and blessing they are missing! He’s the best friend a man can ever have! Why? Just listen to the truths of the song: Firstly, he bears all our sins and griefs. And that’s a fact, for He selflessly sacrificed His sinless life on the cross of Calvary to pay for our abominable sins.
And as to hearing our prayers, just listen to these scriptures. The Lord said to Jeremiah: ‘Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty (inaccessible) things, which thou knowest not.’ (Jer. 33:3) That means our God wants us to call Him and share whatever is happening in our lives. And John goes on to confirm it with these most encouraging words from his first epistle. ‘And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired (asked) of him.’ (1 John 5:14-15)
In other words, the Lord won’t refuse a request that’s in His will, but He might tell you not yet. (smile) And if you’re looking for a shield from the world’s problems, Bruh David says it loud and clear in Psalm 18: ‘The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler (shield), and the horn (strength) of my salvation, and my high tower (stronghold),’ (Ps. 18:2)
And as per discouragement, I like how Hebrews tells us about, ‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (originator and perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (become discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb. 12:2-3)
Yes my people, when we see what Jesus put up with on our behalf, how can we ever become discouraged eh? Especially when He’s invited us through His Great Invitation to bring all our burdens to Him. Hear His call: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me, for I am meek and lowly (gentle and humble) in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ‘ What more can we ask for eh friends? Nothing really, for Jesus has given us an invitation that covers everything.
Oh my people, we can never get a better friend that Jesus. Cousin Sol refers to Him as a friend who sticks closer than a brother.’ (Prov. 18:24b) Meanwhile Jesus Himself told the disciples, and consequently us: ‘Greater LOVE hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do what I command you.’ (John 15:13-14) And He indeed laid down His life for us. Then, finally, in the Great Commission He ended by sincerely promising: ‘and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt. 28:20b)
That’s how great Jesus is: a friend, a brother, a Saviour, a Lord… Whatever post you have to fill, He’s the One to fill it! Let’s remember that as we go forward today! Much LOVE!
..Jesus…is all we need…both in this life and the next…and He’s always available…through prayer…
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