For the Love of A Brother

4/24/2024

Written By: April Mills

In the hours previous to writing this devotion, I was at a service for a family friend that passed away. The death was unexpected, and it sent shock waves to all that knew and loved him. He had a core group of friends that had traveled through life together since their days in high school. Using the word ‘friend’ here seems too light. It doesn’t adequately convey the depth of their bond. They grew up together, and stood together as they navigated marriages, children, divorces, service to our country, death, and everything else that one may experience during the course of a lifetime. No, the term friend doesn’t quite do it justice. They are brothers, and have held this deep bond of brotherhood for over 30 years.

When I heard of his passing, I began to look back over the years and my own relationship with him. My mind was flooded with memories, but I kept coming back to this one scenario that played over and over in my mind. Actually, it was a collection of moments that summed up to one of the greatest displays of Christ’s love that I personally have ever witnessed in another human being. For the sake of this writing, I will call our friend that passed, Mark.

Years ago, Mark had fallen into grave sin. It was devastating to him, and those close to him. His actions couldn’t be understood, and no one could condone them. Despite the conflict it created, it didn’t sway the brothers from loving Mark and remaining by his side. This wasn’t a case of sweeping things under the rug or turning a blind eyed, it was a matter of a deep bond that couldn’t be broken. After Mark’s actions came to light, one particular brother went immediately to visit him. He sat with him, ministered to him, and listened as Mark poured his heart out in regret. It was easily the lowest point of Mark’s life, and his brother was there by his side. Was it hard for this brother? Sure, it was. Did he have a great deal of conflict about what had occurred? He absolutely did. I remember watching it from a distance and thinking, “How? How can he go there and talk with him after all that has happened?”. I will be transparent with you, I struggled with it, and I continued to struggle on some level for a long time. My heart and my mind were often in conflict with one another, and other times, they were in sync. It was an odd teeter totter of emotions and the truth of grace and forgiveness, and it never seemed to stay in one place for long.

I had a conversation once with this brother, and I asked him if it was hard for him to continue the friendship in light of what had occurred. He didn’t hesitant when he said, “He’s my brother, I love him.” Such a simple phrase-I love him. He said it in such a way as if that should explain it all, and you know what? It does.

Many people would have walked away from Mark without a second thought, but love kept his brother close. He looked past Mark’s offense, saw a deep brokenness and had compassion. He saw a person still worth loving. He saw someone of value and worth redemption. His steadfast devotion and love to his friend, while understanding and recognizing the sin, remains one of the truest displays of Christ’s love I have personally witnessed. It’s a powerful testament to the bond men share as brothers, and the love of Christ that supersedes all understanding.

When we all gathered together to say goodbye to our mutual friend, there was no talk of sins of the past. There was only love, memories, and a shared gratefulness for having known him. I have learned a great deal from this band of brothers over the years. And I hope, should I find myself in a similar situation with a friend, I can let love lead my heart and my action as these men have done.

Proverbs 17:17 (NLT) A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.