Christian Living

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How do we develop new friendships? The easiest way to become best friend of someone is to spend a lot of time. We share with friends our joys and sorrows. We confide in our friend everything. We share with our friends even some of our deepest thoughts, fears and desires. It is a relationship built upon trust and loyalty. Your best friend will be the only person who knows how you got a scar on your forehead. He is the only person who knows about your next move.

Jesus finds friends while he was on this earth

Jesus began his public life when he was 30 years old. The first thing he did in the beginning of his public life was finding some of his own friends who can move with him, share with him and with whom he could confide everything. When some of his disciples left his companionship and moved away from him, questioning about the “heavenly Manna”, he asked his friends who stood by him if they were also willing to go. It was at this time that Peter confirmed his faithful friendship with his immortal words. “After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’” (John 6: 66-69 RSV)

Jesus established his friendship many times. He treated them as his dear friends. He called them his closest friends. He repeated these words of assurance many times during his life on earth. “Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15: 13-15)

Jesus is our friend

Jesus is still our friend with the same love he showed when he was on this earth. He loves us all the more. He shed his precious blood for us and laid down his own life for us. He gave up his life so that we may join with him in eternal life. He gave up everything for our sake, to give us rest, comfort and everything. He gives us encouragement and inspiration whenever we are in his presence just as a faithful friend can do on this earth and even better.

Jesus invites us to share his intimacy and dignity

We find many passages in the gospels that are more likely to show Jesus acting more as a friend, than a teacher. “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.” (Luke 12:4) He invites us to share his love, respect, and intimacy with him. He encourages us not to be afraid of anything on this earth. Rather, he helps us see how we can fulfill our lives if we can love according to his plan. He loves us as we are.

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