When you need your friends the most …

There is nothing that deepens the bonds of friendship more than does loyalty.

To know you can count on your friends — that they have your back — forges the richest of relationships.

But to invite this kind of loyalty from friends, we must be that kind of loyal friend, unlike the way Stalin treated people …

“It is common knowledge” reports Military-History.org, “that infamous Russian dictator Joseph Stalin prohibited his guards from entering his private bed chambers on pain of death.”

One day, in a test of their resilience, Stalin decided to scream as if in great agony. When his loyal guards came to their master’s aid, they were duly executed for failing to follow orders.

When Stalin did actually endure a paralyzing seizure, while alone in his bedroom, none of his guards dared to come to his aid, on the fear of very tangible reprisals. He was later found semi-conscious by Peter Lozgachev, Deputy Commandant of Kuntsevo, on the floor of the room. He died within a week.

When we hold people at arms distance, we shouldn’t be surprised when they don’t draw close, even when we really need them to.

We can’t expect loyalty from others short of pursuing open and honest relationship with them.

“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude” (1 Peter 3:8).

In stark contrast to Stalin, the Bible records at the end of Jesus’ life a time when He needed His friends the most. Jesus didn’t play games when it came to friendship. He who WAS love knew how to love His friends well. In spite of this, when Jesus most needed the comforting presence of His three closest friends, they failed Him miserably …

“Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, ‘Sit here while I go over there to pray.’ He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, ‘Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!’ Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away[f] unless I drink it, your will be done.” When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. Then he came to the disciples and said, ‘Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look — the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!’” Matthew 26:36-46.

Before the night was over, all of His disciples would run away, with Peter even denying Him three times.

That’s neither loyalty, nor friendship.

How often do we read this story leading up to Easter and wonder how these men could have been so disloyal to Jesus? But is our behavior with our friends any better? Where are you when your friends are in the greatest need of a loyal friend who has their back? How loyal are you to a friend in real times of need? Have you left a friend abandoned and alone when they most need you?

Scotty