In the Song of Solomon is recorded an ongoing conversation between Solomon and his wife. The book typifies the relationship between Jesus Christ and his bride, the church. Jesus Christ is the friend to whom the bride is referring in SoS 5:16 when she says, “This is my friend.” Jesus is:
Beloved – in 1 Jn 4:19 we find that the Lord made the first move in our relationship, “we love him because he first loved us.” He demonstrated this love by his death for us. Jn 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” That’s an amazing truth considering that we were his enemies [Rom 5:10}. Thankfully, Jesus is a friend to publicans and sinners [Matt 11:19]. He doesn’t befriend us because of some advantage like friends in the earth are prone to be [Jude 16].
Faithful – even in his darkest hour, when Judas betrayed him, Jesus called Judas, “Friend,” [Matt 26:50]. He called his disciples friends in Lk 12:4 despite knowing that they would scatter from him and that one would deny him. Unlike friends in the earth [Lk 21:16], he will never betray you.
Close– he is the one in Prov 18:24 that sticketh closer than a brother. One preacher said that he is like ivy, the greater the ruin, the closer he sticks. It’s comforting to know that the Lord doesn’t choose his friends based on how they lived their lives before he saved them. When he befriends us, he is sure to reprove and chasten us as needed. As Prov 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
Generous – in Lk 11:5-13, we find that the Lord is our friend who gives us what we need. You and I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In Phil 4:13 we find that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” And in Phil 4:19, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Fortunately, he knows what we need and he gives it to us without restriction or reservation.
My Friend – the bride said in SoS 5:16, “This is my friend.” John the Baptist [Jn 3:29] and Lazarus were his friends [Jn 11:11]. First, he befriends us when we are not friends of the world [Jas 4:4; 1 Jn 2:15-17]. We must separate from the world for Jesus to be our friend. Second, he befriends you, “if ye do whatsoever I command you,” [Jn 15:14]. His commandments for us are clearly written in the New Testament. And when you do these, he will also give you specific commands about things he wants you to do according to his plan. When you do these commands you are his friend just like Abraham was when he did what he was commanded to do [Jas 2:21-23].
Conclusion: befriend Jesus as much as he has befriended you.