A man had three friends. The first friend he daily treated well with abundant food and clothing, leaving him lacking or wanting nothing, indeed, fulfilling his every wish. The second friend he treated well on occasion, but not as well as the first friend. The third friend he treated poorly, paying little attention to his needs; even when he pleaded for help and kindness, he was usually turned away empty handed. Now when the man was summoned before the court and had to defend himself before his accusers, he went to his first friend, whom he had treated so well, and asked for his support; but he was turned down. Then he went and asked for the support of his second friend, who had accompanied him to the courthouse; but this friend turned around and left. Finally, as the last resort, the man found it necessary to go to his third friend, though ashamed to seek his support because of the ill treatment. But the third friend, beyond expectation, not only testified for the man and gave a good report but also paid the fine for all the charges against him.
In this parable the man's first friend is to be understood as his own body, which he daily nourishes and clothes, but which will depart from him in death because his soul will be separated from his body and must appear before God's court and countenance. The second friend is to be understood as the man's relatives, who accompany him to his gravesite, but then depart again. The third friend is to be understood as our Lord Christ, who speaks to us through His Word, but whose voice is too often not taken to heart. He comes to us bodily, but we do not accept him or treat him well; yet He is the best and only faithful Friend who, on the final day of judgment, will be our advocate, absolve us from all accusations, and take us up into the eternal dwellings.
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