Sermon On A Huckleberry Friend

Mark Twain, an American writer and humorist once wrote: “Pooty soon I’ll be a-shout’n’ for joy, en I’ll say, it’s all on accounts o’ Huck; I’s a free man, en I couldn’t ever ben free ef it hadn’ ben for Huck; Huck done it. Jim won’t ever forgit you, Huck; you’s de bes’ fren’ Jim’s ever had; en you’s de ONLY fren’ ole Jim’s got now.” Proverbs 18:24 reminds us: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

A "Huckleberry friend" is a term of endearment for someone who is carefree and the ideal companion for any activity or job. The phrase may also refer to the narrated close friendship formed between Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn in Mark Twain's novel: “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Perhaps even more importantly, it might also be considered as forming an abutting and valuable friendship with God. With God as our closest personal ally, what more could one possibly hope, or wish for in the circle of friendship, or indeed life? Friendship is regarded as a state of mutual trust, amity and support between two or more beings.

"Tom Sawyer" and its sequel "Huckleberry Finn," both written by Mark Twain, follow the adventures of two young boys living in a small Mississippi River town, with Tom being a mischievous, imaginative boy who loves adventure stories and pranks, while Huckleberry is a poor, unschooled outcast who is more grounded in reality. Their stories often intertwine, with Tom's schemes, sometimes leading them into trouble, while “Huck's” natural instincts and moral compass provide a counterpoint to Tom's romanticized view of the world.

Friendship is generally a particular affinity and fondness between people with either similar or possibly even opposing interests in life. It can provide an element of security, trustworthiness and protection in an unknown world through emotional support and various other assurances. There is a mythical saying that “opposites attract.” How accurate this is, may be difficult to discern, but it could also relate to the rival structures of sin and righteousness. God often offers eternal friendship to those of sin. Jesus is known to have proposed friendship to sinners through different interactions, with the ultimate intention of bringing them to salvation. Matthew 11:19 confirms: “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

There are several stories in the Bible pertinent to friendship. Perhaps one of the most noted passages is the affinity formed between Jonathan and David. 1 Samuel 18:1-16 reminds us: “As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on. The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice. Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.”