JESUS OUR BEST FRIEND
It has been said that a true friend is someone who knows all about you and yet loves you anyway. That is certainly the case with Jesus. The hairs of our head are all numbered (Luke 12:7). He knows everything about our lives, our thoughts, our hopes, our dreams, our struggles—everything (Psalm 139:1–4).
The Bible says that a friend sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). That is descriptive of Jesus, the best friend you will ever have. Because the fascinating thing about it is, He does not just offer us friendship, but He offers us Himself. Meaning that He is always with us, He does not forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He is a friend, but He is more than a friend. He is our life (Colossians 3:4).
Which of your friends does this sound like:“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus proved the depth of His love and friendship for you. What would He have to do to prove His love and His loyalty more than what He has already done?
His death was about saving us from our sins. It was also about bringing us into a state of reconciliation with Him (Romans 5:10–11). That is companionship, where we are together forever with Him.
True friends are there for you when life gets tough (Matthew 11:28). Jesus is a safe space for His friends, bringing peace to our lives no matter what is going on around us (John 14:27). Friends are always ready with wise council when it is needed, and Jesus is not only the giver of wisdom (James 1:5), He IS true wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30).
No one on earth is a perfect friend to another person. But Jesus is perfect. And even when we fail Him, failing to show loyalty the way that Peter did, Jesus still wants what is best for us, looks for our return, and is ever ready to forgive us and restore us to Himself (Luke 22:61–62; John 21:15–17). This is a friend who takes up for you and looks out for you “when you’re not around” (Romans 8:34).
Your life will never be the same when your best friend is Jesus. If you want Him to be, He will be. Come to Him in faith. There is no one like Him. His love for you and His presence in your life are always constant.
Few things are better than spending quality time with a loyal friend. With Jesus, you can spend all the time with Him that you want. Daily, even moment-by-moment fellowship with Him is not only possible, but it is what He seeks. Listen to His voice and grow in your dependence upon Him through daily and consistent fellowship (Revelation 3:20; John 14:23).
Obey Him and allow Him to live inside of you (Galatians 2:20). By so doing, you will see His love overtaking you. Not only will His love embrace the totality of your life, but you will find yourself loving others because of Him (1 John 4:19).
One of the greatest blessings in the world is true and loyal friendship. It makes life better all the way around. But, unfortunately, in the world in which we live, true friends are not the easiest thing to find. But because God is a God of love, there is one friend that we can depend on no matter what. Jesus said to those who were willing to follow Him, “I have called you friends” (John 15:15). It is amazing to know that we can be on intimate terms of friendship and love with the creator of the universe.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is our Lord and Savior. But He is also the best friend you will ever have. Nobody loves you, cares for you, or likes you like Jesus.
Bryan Dewayne Dunaway
