Devotion / The hands of a friend

A history of hands

What makes a true friend?

There is a story about a man named Albrecht Durer. Both he and his brother wished to become artists. However, coming from a family of 18 children, neither could afford the cost to go to art school. So they drew straws and agreed that the winner would go on to study art while the loser would work in the mines to pay the cost of the other’s instruction. After one brother graduated and began selling his artwork, the other brother would begin his study.

Albrecht won and went to art school. At a family gathering after returning home, Albrecht proposed a toast to his brother who had worked in the mines for him. To everyone’s surprise, his brother could not raise his glass. His hands had become crippled with arthritis that had overtaken him while working in the cold mines. He could no longer hold a pen for the fine drawings he once dreamed of creating.

One day Albrecht began sketching his brother’s hands and artistically designed a masterpiece he called Hands. These were the broken hands of his brother and best friend. These were also the hands that were to become the most famous work Durer ever created. What an example of true friendship!

The hands of our friend Jesus!

What makes a friend? There are some Bible stories that show true friendship. King Saul’s son Jonathan became David’s closest friend. These two young men pledged to help one another if trouble arose. King Saul’s hatred toward David grew so great that he tried to kill him, but Jonathan helped David escape. What a true friend he was! David and Jonathan’s friendship proved to be a blessing for both.

Sadly there are many people who feel they have no friends. In this day of unlimited communication, more people are struggling with loneliness. Perhaps there are times you feel that way. As God’s children, we have the best Friend of all.

Jesus tells us that we are his friends, and he will always remain faithful. He is so serious about his friendship that he was willing to die for us. He said, Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

Anyone who does not know Jesus misses out on that friendship. As lights in our world, we want to tell others that believing in Jesus will give them a new friend. Jesus will be a companion and friend who will never leave them. What greater friendship could anyone want?

By Reynold R. Kremer