jesus is my best friend essay

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11 reasons why jesus is my best friend, he never changes and he is perfect..

Often times I find people being people, and not reaching my expectations. They fall short. But the amazing thing is that we have a friend in Jesus, and He will never disappoint.

1. He is there for me when no one else is or when no one else can be.

When I am afraid or embarrassed to tell someone about my problems, He already knows. So talking with Him about them is pretty easy, plus He will always know a solution.

2. He loves me unconditionally and eternally.

No matter what I do, He loves me because He is the only one who can love perfectly, since He is a perfect God. He will always love me.

3. He will never see me differently.

No matter how many times I mess up, He never dwells on my sins that I commit. He sees His holiness within me, because He died to cleanse me. He makes me beautiful.

4. He will always forgive me.

He is faithful to forgive if I confess, and He will always try and help me not to make the same mistake again, because His strength is made perfect in my weakness. (1 John 1:9, 2 Corinthians 12:9)

5. He never leaves my side.

Even when I abandon Him, He still is following me and He continues to pick up my broken pieces along the way.

6. He always wants to talk to me or hang out with me.

He died on the cross so that he could do this, and He genuinely cherishes all of the time that we get to share together.

7. He handles all of my problems, and helps me to not get weary of this world.

If I come to Him with my problems, He restores me and gives me rest so that I can continue on in freedom. (Matthew 11:28)

8. He gives me endless comfort.

He gives me subtle reminders that I am not in control, so I never have to worry about being in control, because he always has me and he always has a plan. (Philippians 4:6-7)

9. I know that I can trust in him.

He has never failed me. If I need him he is there. He has, and never will, lie to me and all of his promises are true.

10. He is always there to listen when I just need to talk.

I can pray to Him and He will listen no matter what the topic is. He just wants to be with me, and hear from me.

11. He never changes and he is perfect.

No matter how much time passes, He was, and is still, the same perfect God.

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25 beatles lyrics: your go-to guide for every situation, the best lines from the fab four.

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The End- Abbey Road, 1969

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Dear Prudence- The White Album, 1968

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

Because- Abbey Road, 1969

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

All You Need Is Love, 1967

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

We Can Work It Out- Rubber Soul, 1965

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Come Together- Abbey Road, 1969

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand- Meet The Beatles!, 1964

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-1967

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Strawberry Fields Forever- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Rain- Paperback Writer "B" side, 1966

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

Here Comes The Sun- Abbey Road, 1969

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

Saw Her Standing There- Please Please Me, 1963

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

Michelle- Rubber Soul, 1965

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

Revolution- The Beatles, 1968

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Eleanor Rigby- Revolver, 1966

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

With A Little Help From My Friends- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Hey Jude, 1968

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

Yesterday- Help!, 1965

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

Let It Be- Let It Be, 1970

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all i got to give if you say you'll love me too. i may not have a lot to give but what i got i'll give to you. i don't care too much for money. money can't buy me love.

Can't Buy Me Love- A Hard Day's Night, 1964

All you need is love, love is all you need

All You Need Is Love- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird- The White Album, 1968

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

In My Life- Rubber Soul, 1965

While these are my 25 favorites, there are quite literally 1000s that could have been included. The Beatles' body of work is massive and there is something for everyone. If you have been living under a rock and haven't discovered the Fab Four, you have to get musically educated. Stream them on Spotify, find them on iTunes or even buy a CD or record (Yes, those still exist!). I would suggest starting with 1, which is a collection of most of their #1 songs, or the 1968 White Album. Give them chance and you'll never look back.

14 Invisible Activities: Unleash Your Inner Ghost!

Obviously the best superpower..

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

1. "Haunt" your friends.

Follow them into their house and cause a ruckus.

2. Sneak into movie theaters.

Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health , says science

Considering that the monthly cost of subscribing to a media-streaming service like Netflix is oft...

Free movies...what else to I have to say?

3. Sneak into the pantry and grab a snack without judgment.

Late night snacks all you want? Duh.

4. Reenact "Hollow Man" and play Kevin Bacon.

America's favorite son? And feel what it's like to be in a MTV Movie Award nominated film? Sign me up.

5. Wear a mask and pretend to be a floating head.

Just another way to spook your friends in case you wanted to.

6. Hold objects so they'll "float."

"Oh no! A floating jar of peanut butter."

7. Win every game of hide-and-seek.

Just stand out in the open and you'll win.

8. Eat some food as people will watch it disappear.

Even everyday activities can be funny.

9. Go around pantsing your friends.

Even pranks can be done; not everything can be good.

10. Not have perfect attendance.

You'll say here, but they won't see you...

11. Avoid anyone you don't want to see.

Whether it's an ex or someone you hate, just use your invisibility to slip out of the situation.

12. Avoid responsibilities.

Chores? Invisible. People asking about social life? Invisible. Family being rude? Boom, invisible.

13. Be an expert on ding-dong-ditch.

Never get caught and have the adrenaline rush? I'm down.

14. Brag about being invisible.

Be the envy of the town.

But don't, I repeat, don't go in a locker room. Don't be a pervert with your power. No one likes a Peeping Tom.

Good luck, folks.

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned..

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. The importance of traditions.

Sometimes traditions seem like a silly thing, but the fact of it is that it's part of who you are. You grew up this way and, more than likely, so did your parents. It is something that is part of your family history and that is more important than anything.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

No matter how many times they get on your nerves or make you mad, they are the ones who will always be there and you should never take that for granted.

3. How to give back.

When tragedy strikes in a small town, everyone feels obligated to help out because, whether directly or indirectly, it affects you too. It is easy in a bigger city to be able to disconnect from certain problems. But in a small town those problems affect everyone.

4. What the word "community" really means.

Along the same lines as #3, everyone is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when you need one in a small town and to me that is the true meaning of community. It's working together to build a better atmosphere, being there to raise each other up, build each other up, and pick each other up when someone is in need. A small town community is full of endless support whether it be after a tragedy or at a hometown sports game. Everyone shows up to show their support.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

People say this to others all the time, but it takes on a whole new meaning in a small town. It is true that life is about the journey, but when you're from a small town, you know it's about the journey because the journey probably takes longer than you spend at the destination. Everything is so far away that it is totally normal to spend a couple hours in the car on your way to some form of entertainment. And most of the time, you're gonna have as many, if not more, memories and laughs on the journey than at the destination.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

Word travels fast in a small town, so don't think you're gonna get away with anything. In fact, your parents probably know what you did before you even have a chance to get home and tell them. And forget about being scared of what your teacher, principle, or other authority figure is going to do, you're more afraid of what your parents are gonna do when you get home.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

Everyone deserves a chance. Most people don't have ill-intentions and you can't live your life guarding against every one else just because a few people in your life have betrayed your trust.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

While small towns are not always extremely diverse, they do contain people with a lot of different stories, struggle, and backgrounds. In a small town, it is pretty hard to exclude anyone because of who they are or what they come from because there aren't many people to choose from. A small town teaches you that just because someone isn't the same as you, doesn't mean you can't be great friends.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

In a small town, you learn that it's okay to be who you are and do your own thing. You learn that confidence isn't how beautiful you are or how much money you have, it's who you are on the inside.

10. How to work for what I want.

Nothing comes easy in life. They always say "gardens don't grow overnight" and if you're from a small town you know this both figuratively and literally. You certainly know gardens don't grow overnight because you've worked in a garden or two. But you also know that to get to the place you want to be in life it takes work and effort. It doesn't just happen because you want it to.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

If you're from a small town, you know that you will probably only meet a handful of people in your life who ACTUALLY know where your town is. And forget about the people who accidentally enter into your town because of google maps. You've gotten really good at giving them directions right back to the interstate.

12. How to be humble .

My small town has definitely taught me how to be humble. It isn't always about you, and anyone who grows up in a small town knows that. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, and since there's so few of us, we're probably best friends with everyone so we are as excited when they get their moment of fame as we are when we get ours.

13. To be well-rounded.

Going to a small town high school definitely made me well-rounded. There isn't enough kids in the school to fill up all the clubs and sports teams individually so be ready to be a part of them all.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

In a small town, good luck holding a grudge. In a bigger city you can just avoid a person you don't like or who you've had problems with. But not in a small town. You better resolve the issue fast because you're bound to see them at least 5 times a week.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

One of my favorite things about growing up in a rural area was being able to go outside and go exploring and not have to worry about being in danger. There is nothing more exciting then finding a new place somewhere in town or in the woods and just spending time there enjoying the natural beauty around you.

16. To be prepared for anything.

You never know what may happen. If you get a flat tire, you better know how to change it yourself because you never know if you will be able to get ahold of someone else to come fix it. Mechanics might be too busy , or more than likely you won't even have enough cell service to call one.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

It's okay to ask for help. One thing I realized when I moved away from my town for college, was how much my town has taught me that I could ask for help is I needed it. I got into a couple situations outside of my town where I couldn't find anyone to help me and found myself thinking, if I was in my town there would be tons of people ready to help me. And even though I couldn't find anyone to help, you better believe I wasn't afraid to ask.

18. How to be creative.

When you're at least an hour away from normal forms of entertainment such as movie theaters and malls, you learn to get real creative in entertaining yourself. Whether it be a night looking at the stars in the bed of a pickup truck or having a movie marathon in a blanket fort at home, you know how to make your own good time.

19. To brush off gossip.

It's all about knowing the person you are and not letting others influence your opinion of yourself. In small towns, there is plenty of gossip. But as long as you know who you really are, it will always blow over.

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you..

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

You have taught me that you don't always have to strong. You are allowed to break down as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving forward. When life had you at your worst moments, you allowed your friends to be there for you and to help you. You let them in and they helped pick you up. Even in your darkest hour you showed so much strength. I know that you don't believe in yourself as much as you should but you are unbelievably strong and capable of anything you set your mind to.

Your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The way your face lights up when you finally realize what you have accomplished is breathtaking and I hope that one day I can have just as much passion you have.

SEE MORE: A Letter To My Best Friend On Her Birthday

The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile . You are so comfortable and you are yourself. I see the way you smile when you are around family and I wish I could see you smile like this everyday. You love with all your heart and this quality is something I wished I possessed.

You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.You may be stubborn at points but when you really need help you let others in, which shows strength in itself. I have never been more proud to know someone and to call someone my role model. You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

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7 Major Reasons Jesus Is Our Best Friend (One & Only).

There are many reasons why the Lord Jesus Christ is the only true bestie you will ever have in this life, and this post will outline 7 major reasons why Jesus is our best friend that never fails.

I am sure you have had many friends you considered your best friends in the past who have unexpectedly betrayed or hurt you in unimaginable ways.

If you are such a person, I am here to tell you that you are not alone, which is why you need to put no trust in humans, as they can disappoint you when you least expect it.

Unlike fallible humans, our Lord Jesus Christ will never fail or disappoint you, even if you let Him down. This is what makes our friendship with Christ Jesus special, as it’s based on selfless, unconditional love that humans can’t offer.

With that said, let’s discuss the 7 main reasons why Jesus is our best friend, the one and only true friend you will ever have in this life, period.

7 Reasons Why Jesus Is Your Only Best Friend.

Take your time to digest the 7 major reasons below why Jesus Christ is the only true and faithful friend you will ever have who’s worth clinging on to.

• He Will Never Fail You.
• He Will Never Forsake You.
• He Loves You Unconditionally.
• He Gave His Life For You.
• He Will Never Betray You.
• Has Your Best Interests.
• He’s Always Faithful.

1. He Will Never Fail You.

The first major reason why Jesus Christ will be the best-undisputed friend you will ever have is unlike fallible, sinful humans, He will never fail you in any way.

How many times have people you considered your best friends, including so-called Christian friends, failed you when you least expected it? I am sure your answer to that question is countless times.

It’s just a matter of fact that human friends, regardless of who they are, besties or not, will fail you at some point when you least expect it. This is because we, as sinful humans, are fallen creatures who do mean things to others at times.

Since Christ is the only friend who will never fail you, it’s why you must trust Him, Only because humans, as Jeremiah 17:5 reminds us in the Old Testament, will fail you, no matter how you trust them, which is a sad state of affairs indeed.

Related:  12 Benefits Of Trusting God [To Help You Trust Him More].

2. He Will Never Forsake You.

Another reason why Jesus will be your only best friend in this life is that, unlike humans, He will never forsake you, no matter what, even if everyone abandons you.

How many times have people you considered your friends abandoned you when you least expected it especially when things were rough in your life? I am sure your answer to that question is many.

Hebrews 13:5 and Deuteronomy 31:6 tell us that, unlike humans, Jesus will never leave you or forsake you at all costs. This is why you need not worry when people you least expected to leave or ghost you suddenly do so.

You have Jesus Christ on your side who’s promised never to abandon you, no matter what, unlike fallible humans who can promise a bazillion times not to leave you but do the opposite when storms come in your life.

3. He Loves You Unconditionally.

Thirdly, Jesus is the only true friend you will ever have in this life because only He’s the one who truly loves you unconditionally, even as a sinner unworthy of His divine love.

The fact that He loves you unconditionally, even when you don’t deserve it, is what makes His friendship with mankind special and unique. No human in this world will ever love you the way Jesus does.

On the contrary, humans will only love you conditionally, especially if you have something to benefit them, as we are selfish and self-centered by nature due to our fallen, sinful nature.

This is why you must never be desperate to be loved by humans, who will never truly love you as Jesus does. Only the love of Christ will satisfy the deepest desire of your soul to be loved. So, run to Him instead.

Related:  12 Characteristics Of Jesus’ Love {Absent In Human Love.}

4. He Gave His Life For You.

Additionally, Jesus Christ is also the only true bestie you will ever have because He gave His life for you even if you didn’t deserve it. It’s why He says in John 15:13 that there is no greater love than laying your life down for another.

By dying for your sins so that you could have salvation and eternal life, He proved that indeed He is a true friend worth having. Tell me of any sinful human who can do what Christ Jesus did. None, of course.

True friendship is all about the willingness to selflessly sacrifice and lay down your life for another person, and our Lord Jesus Christ is a perfect example of that. Sinful humans, sadly, can’t do that.

Since Christ gave His life for you, there is no legitimate reason why you must reject Him in your life by accepting Him as your Lord and personal savior if you haven’t done so yet today, and you won’t regret it.

Related:  5 Crucial Steps To Being Saved By God Today.

5. He Will Never Betray You.

Unlike virtually all humans be it your best friends or not, who will at least betray you in one way or the other when you least expect it, Jesus will never betray you or break your heart, ever.

So, if you have been betrayed by someone you considered a dear friend up to until that nasty betrayal that broke your heart, worry not as you have Christ Jesus, the only true and faithful friend who will never betray you.

This is why you must never over trust humans even your so-called best friend as that person you consider a bestie is still human and subject to the fallen human nature. Hence, even your bestie can betray and break your heart in unimaginable ways.

The only faithful friend you must blindly trust with all your heart is Jesus, as He will never betray your trust and He will heal all the past betrayals you have experienced with His unfailing love.

6. Has Your Best Interests.

Another vital virtue Christ has that makes our relationship with Him the best we can ever have is that, unlike humans, He has our best interests at heart and always wants the best for us.

It’s why we are told in Jeremiah 29:11 that the Lord knows the plans he has for us that are good, to give us an expected end, and to be with Him in eternity in glory when all is said and done.

Unlike humans, who can sometimes be jealous of you and try to secretly bring you down, Jesus will never do that or withhold anything from you that will make you prosperous, as He’s our real friend without any ill intentions against us.

How many times have people been jealous of you when you started doing better than them and started trying to secretly ruin your life? I am sure you have countlessly met such jealous people in your life, which is why your faith must only be in Jesus.

7. He’s Always Faithful.

Last but not least, in addition to all the above-mentioned points as to why Jesus is our true best friend, He’s always faithful at all times, unlike humans, who are like chameleons.

Deuteronomy 7:9 tells us the Lord is always faithful to us, even if we are unfaithful to Him. Implying that Jesus will always say and do what He’s promised to do, and you won’t be disappointed with broken promises, as is the case with humans.

It’s just a matter of fact that human beings are not good at being faithful and truthful. I am sure you have been disappointed by many people, including friends, who were unfaithful to you despite your being faithful to them and being there for them.

So, when people, including your friends, let you down by breaking the promises they made to you, just remember you have God and Jesus on your side, who will always be faithful to you for all eternity.

Conclusion.

I hope the above post has now clearly made you understand why only Jesus is our best friend, the one who’s worth our trust, and the one who will never let us down, unlike humans.

If you have not accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, do so today, as you will not be disappointed and your life will change for the better when you do that.

In closing, if this post has edified you, let me know in the comments below and share below as why Jesus is your only best friend as well. God bless.

Other Related Posts.

• Really Who Is A True Friend According To The Bible?
• 15 (Must-Have) Qualities Of A Godly Friend Who’s Genuine.
• 54 Inspiring Godly Friendship Quotes [+ Wonderful Sermon].

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2 thoughts on “7 Major Reasons Jesus Is Our Best Friend (One & Only).”

Hey Samuel I’m in a rough spot right now with trying to give up my lifestyle to Jesus .

Then, do it now and the Lord will help you navigate your problems. God bless.

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Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. We’re on a mission to change that. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Drew Hunter Twitter @drewfhunter

What a friend we have in jesus, why is friendship hard for men, you won’t make it alone.

Pastor, Zionsville, Indiana

You were made for friendship with God. God does not just want us to know about him; he wants us to know him — and to experience his friendship. Jonathan Edwards urges us to “Let it be [our] first love to enter into an everlasting friendship with Christ that never shall be broken” ( WJE Online Vol. 44 ). The gospel calls us to trust Jesus as our Savior, submit to him as our King, and value him as our Treasure. It also calls us to enjoy him as our friend.

But do you view him this way? What does it mean for him to be our truest friend, and how do we experience his friendship?

He Gladly Calls Us Friends

Jesus gathered his disciples one last time, on the night before his death, to prepare them for the next day and beyond. In the midst of this sacred evening he said, “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 15:15). To be called Jesus’s servant is an immeasurable privilege. Yet Jesus confers a greater honor. He brings us even closer. He calls us friends.

“You were made for friendship with God.”

Two pieces of evidence show his sincerity. First, he opened his heart with transparency. While a master doesn’t tell his servant what he’s doing, Jesus revealed his Father’s will to us. And he would send his Spirit to ensure that all future disciples would hear these words (John 14:26; 16:12–15).

Second, the cross proves his friendship. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). He wanted his disciples to see the cross and think: I understand now: He substituted himself for me under God’s wrath, and he did it because he views me as his treasured friend. He wants us to view the cross as an affection-filled sacrifice for friends.

Friendship is in the deepest heart of Christ and it’s at the very center of the gospel.

He Is Not Our King or Our Friend

Yet for some, friendship with Jesus seems to diminish his glory. I’ve often heard the sentiment, “Jesus is not our friend; he’s our King .” But we don’t have to choose, because both are true — Jesus is our exalted king and he is our truest friend. This doesn’t minimize his glory; it magnifies it — because it displays the immeasurable riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:6–7). Only grace explains the sovereign King welcoming sinners as his friends.

But does relating to Jesus as a friend diminish his authority in our lives? Not at all, because when he calls us friends, he still remains our King. He said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). Jesus tells us to obey him ; we never tell him to obey us. And our obedience doesn’t earn, but rather, proves, our friendship with him.

“Christ wants us to view the cross as an affection-filled sacrifice for friends.”

Jonathan’s friendship with David in 1 Samuel gives us a clear parallel. We rightly think of them as exemplifying friendship. But their story specifically pictures how we can be friends with the Christ, the messianic King. Jonathan was the friend of David, yet David was Israel’s anointed king. And when David called on Jonathan to demonstrate faithfulness, he responded, “Whatever you say, I will do for you” (1 Samuel 20:4). As David points forward to Jesus as the King, Jonathan points forward to all who follow Christ as friends.

We need to avoid two errors: One error is flippantly calling Jesus a “chum,” “buddy,” or “pal”— as though friendship is trivial. On the other hand, we could so emphasize Jesus’s kingship that we neglect his companionship. We could so emphasize his authority that we don’t enjoy his affection. But Jesus offers himself to us as both our cosmic ruler and our closest friend.

Cultivating Friendship with Christ

How do we cultivate this relationship?

First, let’s expand our vision of him. Consider how he is the greatest friend to great sinners. He draws near in our suffering, and he remains committed even in our stumbling. He lets us all the way in, and loves us to the very end. He doesn’t just justify us and then nudge us aside; he welcomes us into his deepest heart.

He knows us better than we know ourselves, and he loves us more deeply than anyone else ever could. We are closer to his heart than anyone has ever been to ours. As Jonathan Edwards wrote, “Whatsoever there is, or can be, that is desirable to be in a friend, is in Christ, and that to the highest degree that can be desired” ( Works , 19:588).

“He knows us better than we know ourselves, and he loves us more deeply than anyone else ever could.”

Second, cultivate friendship through communion. Relationships thrive with conversation. As we read, receive, and remember God’s word, we hear him address us as friends. And then we pray — we thank him, we confess our sins to him, and we share our burdens with him. We do this throughout the day, not reporting as servants, but relating as friends.

Finally, let’s prove our friendship through obedience. How much would change if we knew that the one who loves us so deeply is with us so constantly? Is not his companionship itself one of the greatest deterrents to sin? If our great friend died for our sins, how can we treat them so lightly? When Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you,” let’s respond, like Jonathan, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”

Jesus chose us as friends, he died for us as friends, he caused us to trust him as our friend, and he will remain our friend for the endless ages to come. What a friend we have — moment by moment, now and forever — in Jesus.

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Home » Kids World » Best Friends 1-8

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Series 1 Lesson 8: Jesus is my Special Best Friend

Dear Friend,

Jesus is my Savior and my Lord; He is also my special Best Friend! Perhaps you are thinking, "Why do you say that Jesus is your special Best Friend?" I was hoping that you would ask that question! Let me tell you why He is my special Best Friend.

Jesus is my special Best Friend because He knows me better than anyone else. He is God, and He knows all about me. He even knows my thoughts!

I am very important to Jesus! I may not be important to some people, but Jesus really cares for me. He even knows how many hairs I have on my head. He has them all numbered! He said, "…the very hairs of your head are all numbered" (Matthew 10:30).

A best friend is one who loves you just the way you are, and yet helps you to be all you can be. Jesus is my special Best Friend because no one has ever loved me as He does. He loved me so much that He gave His life for me. And He loves me today just as much as He did then. Jesus said, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

The Lord Jesus loves me just the way I am, but He loves me too much to leave me the way I am. He is living in me and He is making me more like Himself day-by-day. He knows about my faults, but He loves me, and He will never take His love away from me.

Jesus is my special Best Friend because He wants only what is best for me. He will guide me in making decisions if I will ask for His help and trust Him.

In His Word, the Bible, the Lord Jesus tells me the things I should do, like obeying my parents and teachers. He also tells me things I should not do, like telling lies and saying hurtful things to others.

What about things that are not mentioned in the Bible? In this case I should ask, "Would Jesus like to see me do this?" If I think that He would not like to see me do it, I must NOT do it!

My Special Friend

by Amanda Rawlings

A third-grade teacher gave her class an assignment to write a report about a "special person." Amanda wanted to tell her classmates about Jesus, so she chose Jesus as her "special person." She was able to read her report to the class. Here is what Amanda wrote:

He is special because He is God's Son Jesus. He is special because He is always there when I need Him.

I talk to Him a lot. My special Person is nice and forgiving. He came to be special to me when I went to church and learned about Him.

I felt even more love for Him when I read my Bible in my room. I chose Jesus as my special Person because He is the most important Person in my life.

I always put Him first in my life. I always trust Him to lead my path. If I am ever in trouble, He can always help me.

I really love Him and He loves me even more. I cannot imagine ever living without Him. I never go to bed alone, I never am alone because Jesus is always there.

Have you ever felt like you are alone? Have you ever been afraid? You don't have to be afraid and you don't have to feel alone because Jesus is always there. He is truly my special Best Friend!

Jesus is my special Best Friend because He always has time for me. I can talk to Him at any time. I can talk to Him in any place. No one cares for me like Jesus. He wants me to come to Him about everything that concerns me.

Jesus is my special Best Friend because He is always the same. In the past I have had friends, and somehow they changed and we were no longer friends. But Jesus never changes! The Bible says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

The Lord Jesus is always the same wonderful Person who loves me with all His heart. He is always there to listen to me, to help me, to encourage me. He is truly the best Friend I could ever have.

Jesus and I are "Best Friends forever," but I must never forget who He is. He is my Savior, My Lord, and my God, and I treat Him with respect and reverence. I do not call Him "the Man upstairs."

Being a child of God is the most wonderful thing in all the world, but let me tell you a secret: Your life here on earth as a child of God will not always be easy. Jesus said,

"In the world you shall have tribulation [many troubles]; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

I will have many trials and troubles as I travel to my home in Heaven, but I do not need to be afraid. The Lord wants me to remember three things:

Jesus is always for me

Jesus has all power in Heaven and in the earth, and He is always for His believers. Every moment, there on the throne, He is thinking about me. He wants me to tell Him everything that concerns me. He wants me to bring all my problems and burdens to Him. He wants me to tell Him all that is on my heart.

Jesus is always with me

The Lord Jesus Himself is in Heaven , seated at the right hand of God the Father, but He also lives in the hearts of His believers by His Spirit. The apostle Paul said, "Christ lives in me!" You and I can say this too. Jesus promised that He will never leave us. He said, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5b).

Since Jesus is always with me, I must ask myself some questions: Is the Lord Jesus pleased when I am around those who are using bad language? No, He is not.

Is Jesus pleased when I am watching a TV show or movie with bad stuff in it? No, He is not. Does Jesus enjoy listening to music that has dirty words in it? No, He does not.

This means that I must not hang around those who use bad language. I must not watch bad stuff, and I must not listen to music with dirty words.

Wherever I go, the Lord Jesus goes with me. Whatever I watch, the Lord Jesus watches it with me. Whatever I listen to, the Lord Jesus listens to it also. If I truly love the Lord Jesus, I will not want to do anything that displeases Him.

I can always enjoy Jesus

Jesus is not a "force" ; He is a Person! He wants me to love and appreciate Him. He wants me to enjoy Him, the way best friends enjoy each other.

The way to enjoy a person is to love that person. The more you love Jesus, the more you will enjoy Him. When you fall in love with Jesus, you will be a happy child of God.

The Lord Jesus is the most wonderful Person in all the universe. God tells me to rejoice in Him—who He is and what He has done for me. No matter what happens, I can always rejoice in Him. The Bible says, "Rejoice in the Lord always…" (Philippians 4:4).

Memorize this verse:

The story so far…

Maria told her mother about everything she had done including her lies. Maria's friend Susan learned about God's forgiveness.

Chapter 8 Maria Shows the Way

For the next few days , Maria was very sick. Her head and chest ached and her temperature was high, even after taking the medicine prescribed by the doctor. Her parents often looked worried as they bent over her bed.

Steven came to sit with Maria each day after school. One day when he was sitting beside her, Maria whispered to him, "I want to see Grandma. Do you think Mommy and Daddy would let her come?"

"I will ask Daddy if she can come," Steven said, getting up.

The next day Maria dozed off to sleep for a few moments and when she woke up, there was her grandmother sitting next to her bed. She smoothed Maria's hair back from her hot forehead and talked to her in a soft voice.

Maria gave a tired sigh. "Oh, Grandma, I prayed that you would come. And now you are here. God does listen to us, doesn't He?"

"Yes, Maria," Grandmother answered. "Steven told me that you both belong to Jesus. Now God is your heavenly Father and you are His child. He loves you, Maria, and He wants you to ask Him for everything you need."

"I just needed you," Maria said as she fell asleep again.

The next afternoon Maria's father came to sit with her while Grandmother was resting. "Would you like me to read to you, Maria?" he asked.

"Yes," Maria answered. "Read to me about the 'Lamb's Book of Life' where my name is written."

"What book is it in, Maria?" he asked.

"It's in Grandma's Bible there on the table," Maria told him. "I think she left it open at the right place."

Her father picked up the Bible and found the verse—Revelation 21:27. He read it out loud. Then he said, "It seems to say that those who do bad things and tell lies cannot got to Heaven, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Do you understand it, Maria?"

"Yes," Maria answered. "Grandma explained it to me. You know about my lies, but I asked Jesus to forgive me and come into my heart. And I know He did. Now I am not afraid to die, because I know I will go to live with Jesus in Heaven."

"You are not going to die," her father said quickly. "Don't even think about such things, Maria!"

Maria smiled. "But, Daddy, I like to think about Heaven and about my name being written in Jesus' beautiful book. Is your name in the book, Daddy?"

"I guess not, Maria. I have been too busy to think much about it," he said.

Maria lay quietly for a while. She watched her father as he looked through the Bible, stopping now and then to read silently. He seemed to have forgotten all about her.

At last Maria said, "Daddy, you could come to Sunday school with us. Maybe that would show you the way to Heaven so you could get your name in Jesus' Book."

Maria's father leaned toward her and whispered, "Don't worry, young lady. You have shown me the way clearly enough. I am just not ready yet. But I promise to think about it. Now, it is time you went to sleep."

A few days later Susan came to see Maria. "Oh, Maria," she said, "I am sorry you have been so sick. Miss Wilson gave me your books and said I could help you catch up on your lessons. She said it was one way I could show you how sorry I was for spoiling your notebook."

"You told her?" Maria said, surprised. "I am glad, Susan. Now she knows that I was telling her the truth."

"Yes," Susan said. "And when I told her that I had asked Jesus to come into my heart, she said she was going to let us both participate in the camp contest. She liked it that we told her about the wrong things we did."

"That is wonderful!" Maria said. "I hope we can go together, Susan."

The girls were still working on lessons when Grandmother came into the room. They told her all about what Miss Wilson had said. Then Grandmother asked, "Maria and Susan, do you think you will ever do anything wrong again?"

"I hope not," Susan said, "but maybe…"

"Jesus can keep us from doing bad things." Maria added.

"You are both right," Grandma said. "Because Jesus is living in your heart now, you won't want to do bad things. But sometimes you will do wrong. Just remember that Jesus is ready to forgive you. And He will help you to do what is right, if you ask Him."

"I am going to ask Him every day," Susan said as she got up to leave.

That evening when Grandmother had finished reading the Bible to Steven and Maria, Maria asked, "Grandma, do you think Mommy and Daddy will take Jesus as their Savior?"

"Yes," Grandmother answered. "If we pray for them and keep showing them that Jesus changes us."

"I think Mommy will pretty soon," Steven said. "This morning when I took out the trash for her, she asked me why I did not complain anymore. I told her it was because I had Jesus in my heart."

"And Daddy promised to think about it, too," Maria told them. "Now, if only you could stay with us, Grandma, everything would be just right."

"Well, I have a surprise for you," Grandmother said with a smile. "Your parents have arranged for me to spend the weekends with you."

"Great!" Steven shouted. "No more Uncle Bill's."

"Oh, Grandma," Maria said. "I have my name in Jesus' beautiful book. And now I will have you, too." Maria's eyes sparkled. Her heart was filled with joy.

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Jesus is My Friend, Guidance, and Savior

In my point of view and opinion I see Jesus as my friend and my guidance, a friend who not only gets me but is always there for me. Throughout life I’ve realized that friends come and go and none of it will last forever, even family sometimes come and go or will act like strangers. But one thing I know for sure in my life and have realized more and more as life goes on is that God is there and he has been and will always be there. He is my Friend. He is a friend who gets me and has seen me through my worst and through my best, and I always know that he will never leave. I always believed in God but when I was younger I would just pray and trust him and know he’s there. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that there’s more to him than just praying and trusting him. There's following him and believing in him and putting my faith and life in his hands. I’ve realized that there’s no one that’s gonna be here for me like he has.

There are days and nights where I’ve spoken to him as my best friend and I know and feel that he’s listening. I know he’s real and there because he just wants the best for me and has already planned my life. I’ve been reading more and more in the Bible, and it makes me more and more happy and at peace. A peace I used to not feel when I just prayed like that or would just say yes I believe in God. But once I picked up the Bible and started reading and understanding what he wants of us, I know this is the path I want.

Over the years I’ve realized that there are some times where things might not go according to plan or go the way we want it to but it’s his plan, and I just have to keep moving forward and trust him. There was this quote I read the other day and it was something like: “We’re living in a moment we once prayed for.” When I heard this I was like wow this is true because we never know his plan or what got us to where we are because he’s working and he’s always working on us. He listens to us like a friend but responds to them like our God, our way maker. Another quote: “We might not know now what God has planned for us, but one day we will.” That day we will understand that he heard us and listened to us. We just have to trust in him and obey him.

God is our friend, he's our way maker, our savior, he's our God. One thing I know for sure is that he’s coming and he’s coming in strong. I’ve been listening to gospel music more than ever. Let me say that it always puts a smile on my face, I can be in the worst mode possible but once I hear a song about God my mood changes in a heartbeat and even skips a beat. There’s a song called “Praise” by Elevation Worship, my favorite song ever. Once that song comes on I’m jumping, I'm screaming, and the smile on my face just gets bigger and bigger. There’s a part in that song that says, “As long as I'm breathing…I've got a reason to praise the Lord.'' I am breathing because of the Lord, I am here today and stronger than ever because I have the Lord right by my side.

Isabelle Fadel, SFC '27

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The Gospel and Friendship

More by aaron menikoff.

So many of us have read good books on marriage and on discipling, but I wonder, how many of us have read a good book on what it means to be a friend? Not many, is my guess. It surprises me that few books on friendship are read or, perhaps, that so few books on friendship are written. Not all of us are called to be husbands or wives, but we are all called to be friends.

I am never surprised when television programs like Friends or Seinfeld or Cheers skyrocket in the ratings. Television can be like a potent drug, giving the viewer a brief and intense taste of something he longs to experience. The theme to Cheers captures the longing in our hearts for a community of friends:

Sometimes you want to go Where everybody knows your name And they’re always glad you came 

I loved to watch a program called The Courtship of Eddie’s Father —the tale of a little boy and his friendship with his dad. I remember the opening line of it’s theme song as well: People let me tell you about my best friend . . . We may be hard-pressed to define friendship (for those interested in an ancient attempt, see Plato’s Lysis ) but we know it when we see it. Friendship exists where there is love and affection and trust and encouragement. But this is a clumsy answer. They say a dog is man’s best friend. It is true that a man may direct love, affection, trust, and encouragement toward a dog and even receive the same from a dog. But when all is said and done, I think most of us want friendships that are deeper and richer than that which the best dog can provide.

For a better understanding of friendship, I turn first to John 15:9–15, where Jesus said to his disciples:

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father, I have made known to you.

In these verses Jesus taught what he went on to model: true friendship requires sacrifice.

The overarching concern of Jesus in John 15 is that his disciples persevere in the faith. In verses 1-8, Jesus teaches that true disciples will produce spiritual fruit: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (8). In verses 18–26, Jesus taught that spiritual fruit consists of bearing up under opposition from the world—the world which does not consider Christ to be a friend: “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (20).  Again, the point of this chapter is that those who follow Jesus by obeying his commands will face persecution from the world. These are marching orders from Christ to live as friends to God.

Friendship is sacrificial love. Verses 12–14: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” In other words, friends of Christ are those who love one another. Those who love one another are those who are willing to lay down their lives for one another. At the heart of friendship is love and sacrifice. Jesus, of course, was primarily concerned that his disciples willingly endure the sacrifice and suffering that would come when they obeyed his commands.

The disciples, however, would not truly understand Christ’s teaching until they witnessed his death and were transformed by his resurrection. Jesus willingly laid down his life. He bore the excruciating pain of the cross and the wrath of God as he died in the place of sinners. We have never seen, nor will we ever know, a more profound and powerful act of love than this. As John put it in his first letter, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16).

The import of this truth for a Christian understanding of friendship should not be missed. There is much wisdom on friendship throughout the Bible, and the best wisdom comes from the gospel itself. Look at your own friendships and ask yourself the following questions:

“Do I take the initiative in my friendships?”

It is very easy to wait for someone else to make the first move, to make the first phone call, to send the first note, to offer the first invitation. The fear of rejection stimulates inaction. Thankfully, God did not wait for us to approach him, “We love because he first loves us” (1 John 4:19). If there is a friendship in your life that is smoldering like an ember, rekindle it by taking the initiative.

“Do I sacrifice in my friendships?”

The cost of following Jesus is supposed to be reflected in our relationships. This is true for families—biological and spiritual—but it is true of every friendship. Consider what costs you bear to keep a friendship alive. It may be as simple as a willingness to spend an hour on the phone when part of you would rather be sleeping. It may be as trying as driving miles out of your way to be an encouragement. I remember when a friend did just that for me. I needed some counsel and he was in the midst of a road trip. Though I wasn’t on his route, he changed his plans to talk in person. That is a friend.

“Do I appreciate my friends for who they are or what they can give me?”

Friendship is not an exact science; it is unclear why we gravitate to some people over others. We undoubtedly want to be around people who energize us, and this is appropriate. Nonetheless, if our standard for friendship is always what someone else can do for us then the gospel is missing in the relationship. God did not love Israel because of his people’s inherent worth—he simply chose to love them (Deuteronomy 7:7). Shouldn’t our friendships be marked by a similar, deliberate commitment?

“Do I want close friends?”

I don’t assume that everyone wants close friends. We are not all like Plato’s Socrates who said, “I have a passion for friends; and I would rather have a good friend than . . . the best horse or dog. Yea, by the dog of Egypt, I should greatly prefer a real friend to all the gold of Darius, or even to Darius himself; I am such a lover of friends as that.” No, we don’t all have such a passion for friendship. Some prefer time alone in a book or in front of a movie. Others find sufficient encouragement from their immediate family to keep them from seeking out friendships elsewhere. Nonetheless, we should observe that though Jesus enjoyed perfect friendship and community in the three-ness of the Godhead, the incarnation showed his desire for others to become his friend. Through that work on the cross, Christ allowed us to become his friend. This is a wonderful motivation for evangelism, yes! But it is also a motivation for seeking out friends to love sacrificially.

“Do I have godly expectations for friendship?”

Several years ago I was walking with a friend through the streets of New York. He kindly offered to help me. I kindly turned him down. His offer was so gracious it seemed too much for me to accept. He disagreed. Though these aren’t his exact words, his message to me was clear: “I can tell that you don’t want to receive my help. It is a very humbling thing to accept help from a friend. You are allowing them to serve you when you have nothing to give in return. But isn’t that what friendship is about? Moreover, shouldn’t you be willing to ask friends to sacrifice for you as a symbol of your dependence upon them?” He was right. When the gospel is at the heart of our friendships it will lead us to have godly expectations for our friends.

“Do I bear with my friends?”

We are often hurt by our friends. Our patience is tried by our friends. We wonder if it is worth the fight, if it is worth the pain. Once again, the gospel provides our answer. Looking forward to the grace and mercy of God on display in the cross, Jesus taught his disciples that their lives should also be marked by grace and mercy: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). Forgiveness is a pillar in the Christian life that will keep more than one friendship from collapsing.

“Do I turn to God for friendship?”

Friendships can be some of the most rewarding and most discouraging relationships on earth—especially when we commit ourselves to godly expectations. It is noteworthy that though the Bible speaks a great deal about our need for others, it speaks even more about our need for God. Consider the psalms. They are a testimony of God’s affection and tender care toward his people. They are songs of God-reliance: “O LORD, I call to you, come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call you” (Psalm 141:1). This is a prayer of a man who counts the LORD to be his friend. Abraham, too, was called God’s friend (James 2:23).

We must be careful. First, we must be careful not to downplay the transcendence of God. He is not the kind of friend that we expect to find in our neighborhood or in our church.  As Don Carson noted, commenting on these verses from John, “Mutual, reciprocal friendship of the modern variety is not in view, and cannot be without demeaning God.” Carson pointed out that our relationship with God is unlike any other. He is our Lord and our Master—we are his slaves and happily so. Second, we must be careful not to downplay the uniqueness of the marriage relationship. The relationship between a husband toward his wife which displays service and sacrifice is an especially profound picture of the gospel.

Nonetheless, we ought to embrace the truth that God has befriended us in Christ. He is all we need. Though he intends some to marry and many more to have rich friendships, he alone satisfies. We can search for friends all day long, but we will never find anyone who loves us and helps us more that God had done and continues to do in Jesus Christ. Our quest for friendships should never outstrip, outshine, or outwork our quest for God. He alone will never, ever let us down.

The Bible says much more about friendship than has been mentioned here. There are many other questions to be answered. For example, is there a difference between befriending someone and discipling someone? Nonetheless, for now, it is sufficient to note that Christians really ought to be the best friends to others because we have been befriended by the Savior.

Why Do So Many Young People Lose Their Faith at College?

New Testament professor Michael Kruger is no stranger to the assault on faith that most young people face when they enter higher education, having experienced an intense period of doubt in his freshman year. In Surviving Religion 101 , he draws on years of experience as a biblical scholar to address common objections to the Christian faith: the exclusivity of Christianity, Christian intolerance, homosexuality, hell, the problem of evil, science, miracles, and the Bible’s reliability.

TGC is delighted to offer the ebook version for FREE for a limited time only. It will equip you to engage secular challenges with intellectual honesty, compassion, and confidence—and ultimately graduate college with your faith intact.

Aaron Menikoff (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is senior pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and author of Character Matters: Shepherding in the Fruit of the Spirit (Moody, 2020) and Politics and Piety (Pickwick, 2014).

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What Does It Mean to Be Jesus’ Friend?

by Chuck Queen | May 17, 2012 | Opinion

Anyone who has ever been in church is familiar with the hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” It was written by a son to comfort his mother whom he had left behind in Ireland when he came to the United States in the 1850s. According to the hymn, Jesus is our friend because he bears our burdens and sorrows.

The hymn writer wrote the hymn to assure his mother that though he couldn’t be there with her, Jesus is with her and he is a friend like no other.

He asks, “Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?”

Yes, we have a friend in Jesus, but the question I want to ask: Does Jesus have a friend in me? Am I the friend of Jesus?

Jesus says to his disciples gathered with him in the upper room: “I no longer call you servants, because servants do not know their master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).

It sounds like a promotion, doesn’t it? Going from servant to friend. Being a servant, however, is not a bad thing.

In fact, being a servant of God is always a high honor in the biblical tradition. It’s very likely that Jesus thought of himself as God’s Servant after the manner of the Servant Songs in the book of Isaiah.

Certainly, his first followers made that connection.

Jesus embodied the life of God’s Servant and taught his disciples to do the same. This is surely at the heart of what the feet washing is about in John 13.

When Peter objects to Jesus washing his feet, Jesus says to him, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8). Jesus is saying, “Unless you allow me to teach you how to be a servant, you cannot share in my mission, you cannot be about what I am about.” 

Maybe friendship with Jesus is a kind of relationship that we have to grow into. Perhaps it is a stage of discipleship that is not a given, but a relationship that we must nurture and develop.

Until we learn how, with some humility, to be a servant of one another, to wash one another’s feet, we cannot enter with Jesus into that next stage of discipleship.

Until I can say, “Yes, I am my brother and sister’s keeper. I have a responsibility to my sisters and brothers in the human family. I am a servant of all,” then I cannot share in a friendship that is a partnership in the kingdom of God.

When Jesus says to his disciples, “Everything I have learned from my Father I have made known to you,” what is he talking about?

Jesus is certainly not talking about a mere sharing of information. Surely he is talking about a relationship, a shared intimacy, a sharing of God’s passion and heart for the world.

This is why Jesus can say, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last” (John 15:16).

This fruit is what flows from our lives quite naturally when we abide in Christ, when we share Christ’s heart, love and passion for the world.

To be a friend of Jesus is to share and bear the intimate knowledge of God’s love and passion for the world. It is to share in what God is doing and how God is doing it.

The fruit of friendship with Christ consists of acts of peacemaking, works of forgiveness and reconciliation and restorative justice, deeds of healing and compassion.

This is why Jesus could say, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” And, of course, what Jesus commands is love (John 15:12,17)

Friendship with Jesus is both a wonderful gift and a terrible burden. It’s an immense joy to be able to share first-hand experience of God’s great love for the world. It’s also a crushing weight.

This burden is hard to explain. Perhaps the best analogy is a mother’s love. A loving mother suffers with her suffering child and would gladly bear the suffering herself if she could. The loving mother suffers more when her child suffers than when she herself suffers. That’s the burden of friendship.

Tony Campolo tells the story of being on a landing strip in northern Haiti, waiting for a small airplane to pick him up.

As he waited, a woman approached him holding her emaciated child in her arms. She held up her child to Campolo and began to plead with him, “Take my baby! Take my baby!” she cried, “If you don’t take my baby, my baby will die!” 

Campolo tried to explain why he couldn’t take her baby, but she would not listen. When the plane finally landed and he boarded, the woman ran alongside the plane as it started to take off, the child in one arm and with the other banging on the plane. 

Halfway back to the capital, Campolo says it hit him with a force. He thought of Matthew 25, where Jesus says to the righteous, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink … in as much as you did it to the least of these, you did it unto me.”

Then he realized that the baby was Jesus.

It feels good singing, “What a friend we have in Jesus,” doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t want to have a friend to help us bear our griefs and sorrows?

But the more important question: Does Jesus have a friend in me? Am I the friend of Jesus?

Chuck Queen is pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Frankfort, Ky. He blogs at A Fresh Perspective .

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This book is about the dearest Person in my life. I want to introduce you to the Man who has rescued me from death, filled me with hope, directed me in the decisions that have shaped my destiny, employed me in His global work, and is currently preparing a new home for me in a place where I’ll never grow old....

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This book is about the dearest Person in my life.

I want to introduce you to the Man who has rescued me from death, filled me with hope, directed me in the decisions that have shaped my destiny, employed me in His global work, and is currently preparing a new home for me in a place where I’ll never grow old.

He is my Mentor and Master, and it’s a joy to introduce you to the Jesus you may not know. None of us know Him as fully as we should, for Jesus is the mystery of the ages—the Almighty God whose throne is in heaven; the Nazarene Carpenter who wiped sweat from His brow; the Stranger of Galilee who napped in a boat; the Teacher whose wisdom changed the ethics of the world; the Prisoner whose execution was excruciating; the Corpse who borrowed a tomb; the Body who returned to life; the Savior who bled for the world; the Hero who divided history into B.C. and A.D.; and the glorious King whose return is right on schedule.

So multifaceted is He that the Bible overflows with names, titles, and designations to describe Him. He is:

The Alpha and Omega, and the Anointed One

The Beloved Son, and the Bright and Morning Star

The Carpenter of Nazareth, and the Christ of Glory

The Deliverer, and the Daystar From on High

The Everlasting Lord

The First and the Last, and the Faithful and True

The Great I AM, and the Good Shepherd

The High Priest, and the Holy One of Israel

Immanuel—God With Us

The Judge of All the Earth

The King of the Jews, and the King of Kings

The Lily of the Valley, the Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah, and the Lord of Lords

The Man of Sorrows, and the Morning Star

The Nazarene

The Overcomer

The Prince of Peace

The Redeemer, the Rabbi, and the Rock

The Son of God, the Son of Man, and the Savior of the World

The Teacher Who Came From God

The Virgin’s Son

The Word of God

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Yeshua, Joshua, Jesus.

How do you explain Someone like that?

In a book of Christmas stories, I once found this description of Christ:

He was a working man, a ragged carpenter with neither a roof above His head nor a pillow beneath it, sleeping under the stars or in borrowed beds, His robe a blanket, His nightlight the moon.

For thirty–six months He drifted about doing good and telling stories. He never hurt a soul. He healed the sick, taught the masses, fed the hungry, walked across the seas, and preached the good news. Wherever He went, the miraculous broke out—at weddings, at funerals, on the land and on the lake, on the mountainside and in the city streets. He became the help of the helpless and the hope of the hopeless. He turned water into wine, and with bread and fish He fed a multitude; yet He Himself was sometimes hungry, and in His death He cried out in thirst….

He was buried in a donated mausoleum. Yet His tomb, guarded by the Roman soldiers, was opened by heavenly agents—and found empty. And for two thousand years we can say that all the angels of heaven, all the demons of hell, all the stars in the sky, and all the men of the earth have never understood the influence of this gentle child in swaddling clothes who was laid in a manger with no crib for a bed—Jesus Christ our Lord. 1

Because Jesus lived in history (there’s no doubt about that) and because His life was recorded (the entire Bible is about Him), we can learn about Him. But because He rose from the grave and is now alive, we can have a personal relationship with Him and come to know Him more deeply and intimately.

In the following pages, I’d like to help you grow closer to Jesus—the Beloved Son, the Everlasting Lord, the Promised Messiah, the Sacrificial Intercessor, the Compassionate Servant, the Powerful Provider, the Trusted Teacher, the Great I AM, the Selfless Savior, the Worthy King… and my Best Friend.

May He be yours too!

1 Robert J. Morgan, 12 Stories of Christmas (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2014), 226–228.

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Jesus is My Friend

Trying to connect Jesus as King, Lord, and Savior with Him as my friend reminds me of this Bible verse: “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:4. When I compare myself with His majesty, I feel so small and unworthy of a friendship with Him. While He wants us to respect Him, He also wants us to lovingly say, “Jesus is my friend!”

How do we experience a friendship with Jesus and accept Him as our most faithful friend?

Why Does Jesus Call us Friends?

Let’s go back to Psalm 8.

“You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” V5.

He’s talking about you. And me.

God created us in His image, putting His same glory and honor on us as a crown, making us only a little lower than Himself and the angels!

He’s working on each one of us, shaping and helping us transform our character to line up more closely with His.

Have you accepted your worth in His eyes? You are His one-of-a-kind treasure.

He loves us sins, weaknesses, and all. His unconditional love is not based on what we do, but who we are. He made us to experience what a true friendship relationship looks like.

Friends of Jesus

Jesus spent the last night of his earthly life with His disciples packing in teachings they would need. How He wanted them to understand and be prepared for His death and resurrection and a life without Him on earth!

He tells them the parable of the vine and the branches to emphasize the need for them to be rooted, connected, and completely dependent on Him.

Jesus is the vine, and all who follow Him are the branches. We need to be connected to Him to bear the fruit that draws others to Him and to experience the consistent joy He brings into our lives, no matter what our circumstances.

A close and vibrant friendship with Jesus keeps us connected in this way.

Then He promises: “ Remain in me and I will remain in you.” John 15:4.

Jesus tries to explain His love for them, comparing it to the same love God the Father has shown to Him, the Son.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” V9 This is a deep and profound love that is hard for us to even fathom.

But He wants us to be confident of His love for us- one that has no beginning or end, is personal and unchanging.

Believing, accepting, and understanding the depth of His love for us will keep our relationship strong.

Jesus our Friend Bible Verse

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:12-15.

Jesus as Our Friend

In Jesus’ time, they did not give a slave a reason to perform a job; they had no choice but to obey. The relationship between a Rabbi and his disciples was strictly teacher/student. There was no friendship involved.

Jesus turned the tables by defining friendship in a completely new way. Friendship with Jesus was to be a relationship of mutual respect and love, to the point of sacrificing one’s life for his friends.

Jesus was ready to show His ultimate love by giving up His own life for ours.

We might not ever need to die for anyone, but He asks us to practice sacrificial love for others.

He also defines friendship with Him in terms of obedience. We show our love for him by following His commands (even though our sinful nature gets in the way) out of respect, commitment, and love for Him.

This is not to earn His love, but because we want to obey out of our immense love and trust in Him.

And finally, He calls us friends because, unlike a servant who doesn’t know his master’s business, He has shared everything He had learned from His Father with His disciples (and us.)

There are no secrets between us. He trusts us enough to consider us confidants- sharing the very mind of God with us! What a beautiful aspect of His friendship. Don’t we all want to have that one person who we can call day or night and talk to them about anything and everything?

Jesus is that friend. Take every burden, sorrow, secret, or trial to Him; knowing He completely understands and it will go no farther. Let Him lead you on the path He has set before you. He truly is our most trusted friend.

Jesus Friend of Sinners Bible Verse

The Pharisees and teachers of the law frequently ridiculed Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus responded on one such occasion to explain, “it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Matthew 9:12.

Jesus never condoned sin, but wanted them to know that His Kingdom was accessible to all- especially those who sin or stray.

He tried to explain His mission by using the parable of the lost sheep. The Shepherd leaves the 99 to actively search for the one lost sheep. He rejoices when He finds it!

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7.

In a scathing rebuke to the crowds, Jesus condemns the attitude of His generation, saying , “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ ” Matthew 11:18.

They rejected Jesus and criticized the way He lived His life on earth.

But our friend Jesus came to seek sinners to share the good news that forgiveness was an option which leads to a completely transformed life.

I’m so glad Jesus calls us friends. Only He could make a way to save me, a helpless sinner in need of a Savior and a genuine friend.

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I Have a Friend in Jesus

What does it mean to be a friend of Jesus?

First of all, it means accepting His sacrifice on the cross as an atonement for our sin. When we come before Him in faith and repentance, our special friendship begins.

Jesus is our Best Friend

You could even say Jesus is your best friend. He tells us that “greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

That is exactly how He showed His love for you and me. So yes, we can consider Jesus our very best friend.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Some qualities of a great friend include being a good listener, being trustworthy, reliable, and keeping their promises. There is not one box Jesus leaves unchecked. We need to show Him the same qualities in return.

He gave us His Word to know and understand Him better. How much time do you give to reading/studying the Bible? That is how He speaks to us; are you listening?

Communication is important in any relationship. Friendships can only thrive when we experience mutual conversations.

How often do you have conversations with Him? Prayer with your best friend should be more than a superficial, once a day encounter. He wants to hear about everything that concerns you or brings you joy. If it is in your heart, He wants to hear about it- every single joy, grateful thought, struggle, or painful moment.

Trusting in His promises is an important part of our friend relationship. Do you know them?

He promises us a full and abundant life, acceptance, rest, peace, joy, to fight for you, and a heavenly home; (just for starters!)Use them to anchor your soul to Jesus as you walk your faith journey with confidence and peace.

Even though we can’t enjoy His physical presence, He promises to be with us always. He made good on that promise by giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit. We never have to feel alone, abandoned, or misunderstood.

And here’s what is sometimes hard for me to comprehend- He desires our closeness as well. He wants an intimate, mutual friendship that includes Him in all aspects of our lives.

He stands at our door each day and knocks ( Revelation 3:20 )-

“How are you doing today? Oh, just heading out? Maybe later…”

“I see you are sad; come sit with me. Oh, you’re busy on your phone… Maybe later…”

He won’t break down the door to meet with you. He wants you to open the door of your heart and meet with Him.

Jesus and Friendship

Jesus filled the last conversation with His disciples with the command to love one another in the same way He loves us. He is counting on us to go into the world showing others the love and connection that a friendship with Jesus brings.

All friendships take effort to maintain, and our friendship with Jesus is no different. The enemy is well aware of the beauty and benefits of our friendship with Jesus. He’ll do anything to interfere with it.

He sets up the fight in our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. We all struggle with the seeds of doubt he tries to plant. We give in daily.

Do not despair! Our precious Jesus has already won the victory over our lives! He has defeated and claimed victory over our enemy. The devil may prowl the world like a hungry lion, but he is on a short leash.

Jesus also promises to help us in our struggle to fight the evil one. This is one of my favorite verses I pray each morning-

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2Thessalonians 3:3

What things in this world pull you away from your friendship with Jesus? It’s helpful to have an honest chat with yourself and identify your weak spots. Then, when the enemy tempts us, we can easily repel his ways.

Jesus the True Friend

Our friendship with Jesus brings every good thing into our lives. Protect and cherish this relationship daily to live the rich and abundant life He has planned for you!

All Scripture is taken from the NIV unless specified otherwise.

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You are here, recent articles, from the series: a time for training wheels: family devotions for three to seven year olds previous page | next page, 37. jesus is our best friend, materials needed.

• one large piece of white paper (or eight sheets of white paper taped together)
• masking tape
• crayons or markers

Setting The Stage

After identifying the qualities of a best friend, you will look at how Jesus can be your best friend and how you can develop that relationship.

Place the large piece of paper on the wall at the children’s eye level. Make sure it is in an area that is easily accessible to all. Sit around the paper in a semicircle so everyone has a good view of the paper.

1. First, draw a stick picture of a boy or girl.

2. Second, have the children describe for you the stick figure’s best friend which is to be drawn beside it. At first they will tell you details about the outward appearance. Follow their instructions but help them to include details that will communicate a special friendship.

These are some examples:

* mouth in a smile (having fun together)

* one hand holding the hand of the first child (friendship)

* one hand holding out a toy for the first child (sharing)

* clothes or something that is the same, for example, both are wearing a red top (enjoying the same things)

3. When you are finished the picture, point out what the picture communicates. Make sure you include some of the details mentioned in the brackets above.

Discussion:

The question to ask now is, “How can we make Jesus our best friend?”. The answer is by spending time with him, getting to know him, and having fun talking to him Oust as we do with our earthly friends).

Have them share some ideas about how you can practically do this. If they cannot come up with any ideas, choose one or two below:

• Read Bible stories in a children’s Bible to get to know the things Jesus did.
• Pray to him during the day when you are playing or having some quiet time. Talk with him about the things you have been doing.
• Try to make Jesus happy in the way you act and then thank him for his help.

Choose one way each of you will try to get to know Jesus better this coming week (The adults should participate in the application part too!!). Share your choices with one another.

Go around the circle thanking Jesus for wanting to be your best friend. Then go around the circle asking Jesus to help you carry out the choice you made earlier.

“Jesus Is My Friend”

(use the original tune or the tune of “One little Two little Three little Indians”)

Jesus is my friend, Jesus is my friend, Jesus is my friend and I’m so glad we’re friends!

Learn the song together and then with your musical instruments stand up and march around the living room singing the song over and over again.

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Is Jesus Really My Friend?

Perhaps you’ve heard it spoken, read it on a T-shirt, or heard it in a song.

Jesus wants to be your friend. 

Jesus is my best friend.

What a friend we have in Jesus.

In some ways, the idea of friendship with Jesus is appropriate. Jesus taught that his followers can be connected as closely to him as a vine to branches (John 15:4). Paul labored to know him (Phil 3:1). Christ understands us (Heb 4:15).

But in other ways, saying that Jesus is a friend can lead to a serious error. In our modern Western culture, friendship assumes equality. When we describe a friend, we’re usually talking about a same-level, horizontal relationship. We use the terms “buddy,” “pal,” or “homeboy.” We might seek out advice from people who fall into this category, but we are free to choose whether or not to follow their counsel.

If we say that Jesus is our friend without careful examination of what we mean, we risk seeing his teachings as optional.

The patron-client relationship

Nowhere in Scripture is it taught that Jesus Christ is our friend. Let’s not forget that Jesus is the King; he is the Christ. For those who follow him, we call him “ Lord ” because we submit to him. We worship him and respond to his commandments with obedience .

The scriptural teaching that most connects Jesus with friendship is John 15:13–15:

Greater love has no one than this, that someone 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.

Patronal relationships were common in the world of Jesus’s disciples. People of low social status, finding it difficult to have access to goods and services, would often seek someone of higher status to help them meet their needs. If the person of influence granted their request, the two would enter into a “patron-client relationship.”

Patron-client relationships, which Seneca called the chief bond of society ( On Benefits 1.4.2), were defined by asymmetry, longevity, and reciprocity. First, the patron would be superior to the client, expecting the client to fulfill certain duties. Second, the client would pledge lifelong allegiance to the patron, an arrangement of servitude that would often pass on to subsequent generations. Third, the patron-client relationship would be characterized by reciprocity: a patron would call upon clients to promote his reputation and carry out the tasks he assigns.

The inequality of such relationships led many patrons to consider the term “client” (Latin, cliens ) to be degrading. Instead, they would often refer to a subordinate client as a “friend” (Latin, amicus ; Greek, φίλος [ philos ]). The practice was so widespread that Plutarch took time to explicitly disapprove of it, instead teaching a distinction between true friends who speak boldly and false friends who were flatterers (see How to Know a Flatterer from a Friend ).

What Jesus means by “friend”

Several elements from John 15 support the idea that Jesus uses the term “friend” as the patrons did during his time. In what follows, I will make the case that Jesus describes a decidedly asymmetrical relationship: a “friend” of Jesus was an obedient subordinate.

First, the Gospel’s content leading up to Jesus’s sayings about friendship supports the notion that the disciples are subordinates. While he washes his disciples’ feet, his subsequent teaching points to an unequal relationship: he affirms their calling him “teacher” and “Lord” (13:13) and likens them to slaves (13:16). He repeatedly calls them to obey his commands (13:35; 14:15, 21, 23–24).

Second, the content of John 15 points to reciprocity and obligation . In teaching about the vine and the branches, Jesus states that apart from him they can do nothing (15:5). He assigns them a task: to bear fruit. In return, they will receive what they ask for (15:16). Jesus ultimately defines friendship with him as a relationship that demands obedience: “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (15:14).

Third, Jesus refers to his disciples as slaves that become friends (John 15:15), which echoes many of the patron-client relationships of the day. A common type of patronal relationship existed between a former master and a freed slave. If a slave was manumitted (granted freedom), he would become a client to the former master, pledging lifelong loyalty. Furthermore, a freed slave would be able to have relationships with others that were defined horizontally. In bondage, a slave could only be defined by the vertical relationship with the master. By teaching his disciples that they are his friends and giving them the command to love one another, Jesus moves them through a figurative manumission, going from social death to social life.

Fourth, Jesus declares that, through him, his disciples have “access to the Father,” which echoes the patronal function of offering “brokerage.” An ancient patron would often give clients access to a more distant patron, acting as a broker. Sophocles ( Oedipus the King , 771–74), declared that the ideal broker would have “a foot in both worlds.” As the unique Son, Jesus qualified as the ideal broker, declaring that “no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6) and to “ask the Father in my name” (15:16).

Fifth, the evangelist appears to be portraying Jesus as a particular kind of patron: a royal figure with loyal governors. The term friend was prominently used for provincial regents who were loyal to the king. For example, in the Septuagint (LXX), Hushai was the φίλος [ philos ] of the king (1 Chron 27:33), and the translation corresponds שַׂר ( shar , “prince” or “ruler”) to a φίλος [ philos ] of the king in Esther (1:3; 2:18; 3:1; 6:9). Ancient provincial coinage often displayed ΦΙΛΟΚΑΙΣΑΡ [ PHILOKAISAR ], or “friend of Caesar.” Thus, in every moneybag, there were reminders that a φίλος [ philos ] was a subordinate. In fact, later in John, the Jewish leaders heckle Pilate, stating that if he releases this Jesus who claims to be king, then he is “no friend of Caesar” (John 19:12).

Coin from Philadelphia showing  ΦΙΛΟΚΑΙΣΑΡ. Roman Provincial Coinage, 3031.4 Used with permission.

Jesus’s sayings about friendship come after his kingly entry into the city (John 12:12–15), during a discourse in which he gives his disciples tasks to complete after he departs. He expects them to obey the commands to “love one another” (13:13—14:17) and to “bear fruit” (15:1–11, 16) in his absence. Like a royal patron, Jesus trusts his disciples to act in his place as regents.

Sixth, a patronal relationship fits best with John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” After all, if friends were equals, then self-sacrificial love would be greatest for enemies . However, the uneven relationship described by Jesus in this context points to the greatest love being one for subordinates .

An example from Greek literature can illustrate this greater love. Seneca ( On Benefits , 3.25) describes a particular slave who was willing to die in his master’s place; he called this a rare expression of loyalty. But Jesus’s description of the greatest love turns the tables on this: a patron laying down his life for his subordinates! No patron would ever do this for his clients, because the patron stands to gain something from the client. Like the earlier imagery of the shepherd laying down his life for the sheep (John 10:11), this self-sacrifice was outside the expectation of such a relationship. There would be no greater love than dying for those inferior to him.

With elements pointing to reciprocity, obedience, inequality, manumission, brokerage, and regency, John 15:13–15 describes a relationship that is not characterized by equality, but by subordination.  

Let us never consider ourselves equals to Christ. He is the King who remarkably invites us into a relationship with the Father and calls us to grateful obedience. And he is the King who paid the ultimate price: he laid down his life for his friends. Jesus Christ is the greatest patron conceivable, even greater than Caesar, because he sacrificed everything for us. For this, he deserves all our allegiance.

This article is based on my article in Themelios : “’I Call You Friends’: Jesus as Patron in John 15.” You can access the original article on the Logos platform .

Related article

• Who is Jesus? Answering Life’s Most Important Question

• I make a more detailed case for this viewpoint in ‘I Call You Friends’: Jesus as Patron in John 15 . In the article, the connection between an uneven patron-client relationship and the “greater love” saying is an original contribution to the study of this passage.

Daniel K. Eng

Daniel K. Eng is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Western Seminary. He is a husband and dad to three precious daughters. They live in Portland, Oregon.

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An Enduring Basis for Friendship as Taught by Jesus in the Gospel of John

by Jonathan Sammut September 18, 2017

C oming to South Bend in the Summer of 2016 from the Maltese islands, a little more than rocks in the Mediterranean, I marveled at the vast expanses of the Midwest and its array of tall, verdant trees. My daily route from the Notre Dame campus to the Preca Cottage ran along Twyckenham Drive. I walked home through a green corridor lined by oak trees, old and beautiful.

My Society of Christian Doctrine sent me for three intensive weeks of reading Theology at Notre Dame with Dr Timothy O’Malley (“Introduction to Catechetical Theology”) and Dr Angela Senander (“Renewing Moral Theology with the Call to Holiness”). I arrived in June, fresh from having completed my thesis for the Master of Arts in Theology. Three months later, in September 2016, I successfully defended this same thesis on “‘Love of Friendship’ in the Christian Life” and was awarded the MA in December 2016. Thank God for this Christmas gift, which began with the great privilege of studying theology first at the University of Malta and subsequently at Notre Dame. What twice-blest opportunities these were to share learning and insights through conversation with fellow students, in guided reading with our mentors of the Institute for Church Life and Theology Department, where I experienced collegiality, hospitality, and a spirit of good will.

However, in the wider American culture, I often sensed tension and a vague wariness that was difficult to explain. It was as if, just beneath the peaceful landscape and general friendliness, there lurked a certain sense of mistrust; people seemed to find it difficult to trust one another, even while seeming to long for friendship and communion. Someone in class observed that the atmosphere was always tense before a major presidential election: “We’re a very politically divided nation here in America,” she had said. Furthermore, liberalism and conservatism escaped from merely political jostling of the presidential primaries into opposing religious camps within the American Catholic Church as well.

Of course, unfortunately, it is universal that emotions run high before and during elections, no matter what the country.  The recent SNAP Election in Malta, that confirmed the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, was quite nasty, but our island is so small that the people, all highly interrelated, try to avoid messing with our common domestic nest. Even so, despite Catholicism being the state religion as established in the Constitution of Malta, the effect of political divisiveness and domestic distrust is putting a strain on friendship and disturbing the domestic peace. Everyone wants friends, but there has been extensive confusion in the common understanding of this word, as with many other similarly affective words. There is the traditional maxim of the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you), which may be helpful as a reminder of courtesy and as a corrective for unbridled selfishness, but it does not go deep enough, nor can it act as cornerstone. Self-government, whether public and private, and their unity in communion with others, depend upon something deeper than a mere social contract for the common good. The foundation of a just and moral society depends upon authentic friendship. And, friendship, at its deepest level, originates in the love of God, manifest in the Incarnation and teachings of Jesus.

In Malta, as in America and everywhere else, friendship is not only essential, but the love of friendship is a compelling basis for unity and enduring peace. In the Society of Christian Doctrine itself members try to avoid partisan political discussion. We greet one another with a reminder that our lives are hidden in Christ’s peace: “Peace be with you.” St Paul stated the basis for this reminder in Philippians 4:7; the peace of Christ, indeed, passes all understanding and is not dependent on the outcome of a political election or a constitutional decree.

A solid theology of friendship finds its foundation and models in the Gospels, especially the Gospel of St. John. There, in the Johannine Gospel, the unique innovation of the Christian understanding of friendship emerges and shows the eternal and holy way, beyond all temporal alliances of profit and politics. The Gospel of St. John proclaims the profound truth that friendship with God, through trusting and following Jesus, serves as the basis for all authentic friendships. The Blessed Trinitarian God is the ground of all being, including friendship, and of perfect happiness and communion.

There is a natural model of human friendship that is to be found through the great writers of the ancient classical world, which is beneficial as far as it goes, and Christian writers have drawn on it. The incorporation of this ancient understanding of friendship was brought into full Christian life by the synthesis of St. Thomas Aquinas’s treatise on the theological virtue of caritas in his Summa Theologi æ . However, this is not the place for discussing the benefits and limitations of friendship in ancient culture. Alas, we can only acknowledge the contribution of St. Thomas’s Summa in this regard, because we have to make room for reflecting upon the words and relationships of Jesus Himself as recorded in the Gospel of St. John, which I propose to do in three parts.

Suffice it to say that drawing upon our entire heritage, both cultural and religious, a theology of friendship can be discovered as a trustworthy basis for building happiness and holiness in Christian community as well as everywhere else. Friendship, as delineated in St. John by the unnamed “Beloved Disciple,” can both enrich the individual lives of authentic Christians today and, at the same time, contribute to the renewal of the theology of the Christian life everywhere as called for by the Second Vatican Council ( Optatam Totius , §16). The Fourth Gospel is rich in many stories and examples of divine and human friendship. Combined with the Old Testament manifestations and amplified by St. Thomas Aquinas’s understanding of caritas in his great Summa , the Gospel of St. John is glorious, surpassing even the elevated Greco-Roman understanding of friendship. There seems to be a general longing everywhere to experience this dimension of theology, which heals all divisions, is long overdue in its development.

The Tradition of "love" and "friendship" in Sacred Scripture and the Church

In the life of the Church, over the ages, “love of friendship” managed to get a foothold and secure its place, despite being often misunderstood. From a theological perspective, the mistrust of this “love of friendship” stems from its appearing to be a preferential, even exclusive, kind of affection and, thus, a contradiction of the biblical command to love all people. However, it need not be either exclusive or contradictory. The Christian understanding of “love of friendship” emerges from many biblical texts, throughout the Old Testament and the New, but in a particular way in the Fourth Gospel.

In the Old Testament there are many accounts of different kinds of friendship, from Moses and Abraham through the Prophets, in the Proverbs and the Psalms, and through the allegorical lover/beloved poem, Solomon’s Song of Songs. In Exodus 33:11, it is recorded that “… the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.” Here is explicit reference to friendship with the divine when Moses and God are seen conversing “man to man,” just as friends do. Likewise, in Chronicles 20:7, there is a reminder of this relationship; God’s revelation to Abraham may also be viewed as an expression of friendship between them: "Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?” In addition to these references to friendship with God, there are also scriptural references to intimate personal friendships (Deut 13:6), family friendships (Prov 27:10), and political friendships (Esth 6:13). A good example of an intimate personal friendship is the relationship between David and Jonathan, who is said to have loved David “as his own soul” (1 Sam 18:1-3) and “as his own life” (1 Sam 20:17). The absolute devotion of Ruth to Naomi, though not expressed using friendship conventions, nevertheless reflect ideals, such as loyalty and respect, which are associated with genuine friendship (Ruth 1:16-17). Thus, by understanding friendship as a central theme in the Bible, we can come to see the central role of friendship for Christian theology and the Christian life more specifically, for everyone’s benefit. It is precisely the role that St Thomas Aquinas grants to friendship in his magnum opus , the Summa Theologi æ .

However, it is in the Gospel of St John that the truly glorious paradigm is found, and there is a long tradition linking friendship with the Fourth Gospel. In the history of theology, the Fourth Gospel has a special role in “Love of Friendship”; as Origen claims in his Commentary on John , it is “the first fruits of the gospel.” [i] This ripe fruit, “friendship” and “love,” arise from the very depths of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God. The image of the Beloved Disciple reclining next to Jesus at the Last Supper came to be viewed as the prototypical example of friendship among the medieval writers. Moreover, the Fourth Gospel explicitly gives “love of friendship” a central place:

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.   You are My friends if you do what I command you.   No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:13-15).

Here, the author presents a sweeping change of status for Jesus’ disciples: they are no longer regarded as slaves/servants, but are called friends.

Let us first look at the friendship between Jesus and his disciples, a relationship that in some way mirrors the relationship that Jesus, the incarnate Logos , has with the Father. Jesus’s relationships with several characters (i.e. John the Baptist, the family from Bethany, and the Beloved Disciple) come to culmination in the discourse and events of the Last Supper. In the final drama, prior to Jesus entering into his passion, the Johannine Gospel is both detailed and explicit in its message. The author of the Fourth Gospel proclaims Jesus, who came not only to save the world, but also to offer those who want to follow Him a relationship that Greco-Roman philosophers only dreamed of, and which Judaism probably found preposterous: a friendship with none other than the Incarnate Divine Lord himself.

Before proceeding, it is important to make an etymological detour and speak briefly about the terminology used for “love” in the Fourth Gospel. The Johannine imagery of “love” and “friendship” spans two word groups: ἀγαπᾶν and φιλεῖν.  The verbal form, ἀγαπάω, is used thirty-seven times in John whereas φιλέω occurs twelve times. Most of this usage congregates around the Farewell Discourse (John 13:31–17:26), where “love” and “friendship” are major themes and where, according to the vast majority of Johannine scholars, the two verbs, together with their respective cognate groups, are used interchangeably with no distinction in meaning.

Indeed, over the centuries a great number of Johannine scholars grappled with the question of whether the alternation of verbs ἀγαπάω and φιλέω that appear in the conversation between Jesus and Peter, in which Peter is reinstated on the profession of his love for Jesus (John 21:15-23) is narratively significant. The consensus of those Johannine scholars who conclude that this alternation represents John’s stylistic preference for using different but synonymous words, is based on their insistence that all attempts to draw a semantic distinction between ἀγαπάω and φιλέω are doomed to failure, whether in Greek literature generally, the Septuagint, the New Testament, or John’s Gospel itself. One of these scholars, James Barr, wrote in his essay, “Words for Love in Biblical Greek” the following:

There is a difference of stylistic level, of associations, and of nuances. But within any one individual passage these differences do not amount to a distinction of real theological reference: they do not specify a difference in the kind of love referred to. [ii]

This later scholarship contradicts the consensus of many 19 th century British scholars, who tended to see the alternation of verbal forms in John 21:15-17 as not merely one of style but of substance. However, support for this archaic position has continued to dwindle in the face of the apparently irrefutable evidence that the Fourth Gospel regularly deploys synonyms for the sole purpose of stylistic variation.

[i] Origen, Commentary on the Gospel of John: Books 1-10 , trans. Ronald E. Heine (Washington DC: Catholic, 2001), 31-36.

[ii] James Barr, ''Words for Love in Biblical Greek,'' in eds. L. D. Hurst and N. T. Wright, The Glory of Christ in the New Testament. Studies in Christology. In Memory of George Bradford Caird (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1987), 15.

Featured Image: Paolo Veronese, Wedding at Cana, 1563; Source: Wikimedia Commons, PD-Old-100.

Jonathan Sammut

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Friendship with God is the Basis for All Friendships

September 20, 2017 | Jonathan Sammut

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JESUS IS MY BEST FRIEND – John 15:13

Did you know that Jesus is my best Friend? And did you know that He can be your best Friend also?  

Would you like for Jesus to be your best Friend?  

Once we learn about what Jesus did for us and we make Him the Lord and Savior of our lives He will become our best Friend.

Jesus is my best Friend because He knows me better than anyone else. He is God, and He knows all about me. He knows how many hairs I have on my head (Matthew 10:30). He knows what I am going to say (Psalm 139:4) and He even knows my thoughts! (Psalm 139:2)  

Did you know that we are very important to Jesus!

A best friend is one who loves you just the way you are, and yet helps you to be all you can be. Jesus is my best Friend because no one has ever loved me as He does. Jesus loved me so much that He gave His life for me so that I will be able to spend eternity with Him (John 3:16). Jesus said, “Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

When we are friends with Jesus, He changes us from our old sinful self and gives us a new and a holy spirit and we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). We become more like Him every day as we study the Bible and obey what He teaches us.

This wonderful change is like the change that takes place when an ugly caterpillar crawling in the dirt is transformed into a beautiful butterfly. The beautiful butterfly is free to fly it no longer has to crawl around in the dirt.   

Jesus wants only what is best for us and that is what true friends do, He will guide me in making decisions if I ask for His help and trust in Him.

When we read the Bible, Jesus tells us the things we should do, like obeying our parents and teachers. He also tells us things that we should not do, like telling lies and saying hurtful things to others.  

When we are not sure if we are doing something right we should ask ourselves “what would Jesus do?”   

Since Jesus is the Son of God, He is a holy God and He wants us to be holy also. God tells us to be holy because He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).    

Jesus is our best friend because He is always there when we need Him. You can talk to Jesus anytime you want to and He is always there to listen to you. He is there when I wake up, when I go to school; He is there with me all day and all night long.  

I cannot imagine ever living without Him. I never go to bed alone, I never am alone because Jesus is always there.

No one cares for me like Jesus. He wants me to talk to Him about everything that concerns me. He is always ready to listen to me, to help me, to encourage me. He is truly the best Friend I could ever have.

If I find myself in trouble my best Friend is always there to help me.  

Jesus and I are best Friends forever, but I must never forget who He is. He is my Creator and He created the entire world, He is my Savior, my Lord, and my God, and I will always treat Him with respect and reverence; because His Holy Spirit lives inside of me.

Since Jesus is always with me, I must ask myself some questions: Is the Lord Jesus pleased when I am around those who are using bad language or doing bad things? No, He is very sad.  

Is Jesus pleased when I am watching a TV show or movie with bad stuff in it? No, He is not. Does Jesus enjoy listening to music that has dirty words in it? No, He does not.  

This means that I must not hang around those who use bad language or do naughty and destructive things. I must not watch bad stuff, and I must not listen to music with nasty words.

Wherever I go, the Lord Jesus goes with me. Whatever I watch, the Lord Jesus watches it with me. Whatever I listen to, the Lord Jesus listens to it also. If I truly love Jesus, I will not want to do anything that displeases my best Friend.  

I hope that Jesus is or will be your best Friend to. If you want to learn more about salvation click on the following link. ABOUT SALVATION  

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Goodbye, until next time. Until then, remember to say your prayers obey your mom and dad and do not forget to go to church and Sunday school next week.  

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What Does It Mean That Jesus Is Our Friend?

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On the night before He died, Jesus told us what a good friend He would be if we met one condition. He said to His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:13-14).

These words of Jesus convey the meaning of all He would do for us as our friend. They also convey what we must do to be His friends. Jesus laid down His life for us, which proves He is the greatest kind of friend we could have. As the Bible says, “for the joy that was set before Him,” He “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2). He did that for His friends; He was loyal to the end of His physical life. What was this “joy that was set before Him?” It was the joy of knowing His death would allow us to be His friends forever in eternal glory.

If you want Him as your friend, you need to lay down your life for Him. He said, “whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). This is the loyalty He expects of us if we will be His friend.

This means giving up your own ways of doing things and then doing things God’s way. Your own way of doing things leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). Your “old man,” the sinful person you have become, must be put to death (Romans 6:6). That is what Jesus wants you to do so He can start a friendship with you. Paul the apostle wrote of his death in Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). This is the death you must die for Jesus to be your friend.

The Bible has examples of people who were friends with God. God called the biblical patriarch, Abraham, His friend. The Scripture says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God” (James 2:23). Abraham met the condition of friendship with God. God said of him, “Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws” (Genesis 26:5).

Like Abraham, King David was a man who did all that God commanded him. God said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will” (Acts 13:22). Because David did what God commanded, he was God’s friend.

A true friend is always faithful, and David knew the faithfulness of God. He wrote, “Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds” (Psalms 36:5). God was always faithful to David and made him a great king over Israel and gave him victory over his enemies. As a true friend of God, David did all of God’s will, and God was faithful to him. God will always be faithful to His friends. The Bible says, even “if we are faithless, He remains faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13).

True friends also confide in one another. We can trust a true friend to hear all our deepest thoughts and emotions. When God is your Friend, He takes you into His confidence. Christ said to His disciples, “I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). When God is our friend, He tells us His plans for us and for all of mankind. He wants His friends to know these things and reveals them to us through His word. David wrote of the things that God confides in those who love Him: “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant” (Psalms 25:14).

Like a true friend who wants to share everything with you, God wants to share His glory with us. He created us in His image (Genesis 1:26) with a plan for “bringing many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). God will share His existence with His friends for all eternity. As the scripture says, “we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

We can have God as our friend forever if we will do all that He tells us. As Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). He wants you to share in His glory, and He died for you to make that possible. This is what it means that Jesus is our friend.

You might also be interested in...

Is It OK to Call God My Friend?

No Longer Servants But Friends

It’s true: Jesus is our friend .

However, it may be helpful to note what friendship with God doesn’t mean. This isn’t a relationship of equals. We don’t think of Jesus as our buddy. Jesus is—and will always be—our king. And yet, it’s also true that our king has invited us to be his friends. He wants us to think of ourselves as friends. He said: “No longer do I call you servants, but I have called you friends" (John 15:15).

“No longer do I call you servants, but I have called you friends.” —Jesus

What does this mean? It’s helpful to think about what it means to be a servant and to be a friend. A servant only comes when there’s something to do, but a friend is welcome anytime. A servant is told what to do, but a friend is told why . A servant will bring the food to the table, but a friend eats it with you.

When Jesus gives this contrast, he wants us to see he desires us —he wants us to view ourselves as his dear friends. He wants us near him, near his heart.

God Befriends Us First

What does it look like to live in friendship with God?

First, we have to be befriended by God. Nobody starts out in this life as a friend of God. We are enemies of God; we’ve rejected him. So, we need to come to God by the cross of Christ through faith and repentance, and then we begin to become his friends.

Made for Friendship

Drew Hunter

Exploring a biblical vision of true friendship, this book demonstrates the universal need for friendship, what true friendship really looks like, and how to cultivate deeper relationships.

Regular Communication

Second, we talk with God. Friendships thrive with communication and conversation. The Bible is a great gift of God wherein he speaks to us and we respond to him in prayer. We should think of Bible-reading and prayer not just as spiritual disciplines, but as the way that we relate to God as a friend. It shouldn’t just be a once-a-day kind of thing; throughout the day, as we meditate on Scripture and we speak with God, we relate to him as a friend.

Finally, we should live life with a great sense of privilege. Jesus wants us to think of ourselves as his friends, and not just his servants. We don’t have to go through any moment of this life fundamentally alone, unknown, or misunderstood because we always have our greatest friend with us.

During every moment of our day, we can walk in friendship with God with a great sense of privilege.

Drew Hunter (MA, Wheaton College) is the teaching pastor at Zionsville Fellowship in Zionsville, Indiana. He is the author of Made for Friendship and the Isaiah and Matthew volumes in the Knowing the Bible series. Drew and his wife, Christina, live in Zionsville, Indiana, and have four children.

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Is Jesus Your Best Friend?

Real friendship is precious, both in times of trouble and in times of joy. The Bible offers several examples and gives advice on how to be a good friend. And most important: God Himself offers us friendship! Jesus even gave his life for his friends, so that they would have eternal life. Read more about friendship in this Reading Plan, and discover how you can become a friend of God!

We would like to thank GlobalRize for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://www.globalrize.org

Related Plans

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Strong Disciples Two

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Our Daily Bread: Remembering 9/11

21 Days of Fasting and Prayer Devotional: Send Revival

Send Out Your Light: A 5-Day Plan With Sandra Mccracken

Life Light: Gospel of John

Study Bible - Book of James

Elijah. Man of Courage, Man of Faith, Man of God.

“Jesus Christ, Our Perfect Friend,” Ensign, July 2010, 6

Jesus Christ, Our Perfect Friend

Left: illustrations by Phyllis Luch, Robert T. Barrett, Beth M. Whittaker, and Dilleen Marsh

President Eyring said that Jesus is our perfect friend. Here are some ways that Jesus shows His perfect friendship for us.

He wants what is best for us.

He is happy when we are happy.

He feels sorrow when we are sad or hurt.

He suffered for our sins so we can return to Heavenly Father.

Being a Friend for Jesus

President Eyring said we can become Jesus’s friend by being a friend to others for Him. These pictures show some of the ways we can be a friend. Write the letter of the picture next to the sentence that describes the picture.

We can invite someone to come back to church.

We can be a friend to someone who is lonely.

We can help someone who is sad.

We can always remember Jesus.

OpenBible.info Geocoding Topical  Bible Labs Blog

What does the Bible say about ?

A ‣ B ‣ C ‣ D ‣ E ‣ F ‣ G ‣ H ‣ I ‣ J ‣ K ‣ L ‣ M ‣ N ‣ O ‣ P ‣ Q ‣ R ‣ S ‣ T ‣ U ‣ V ‣ W ‣ Y ‣ Z

19 Bible Verses about Jesus As Friend

John 15:13 esv / 4 helpful votes helpful not helpful.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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 15:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

John 15:12-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone 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. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. ...

John 15:9-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ...

John 15:1-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ...

John 14:1-17:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ...

John 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

John 15:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

John 15:14-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

John 11:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jesus wept.

John 11:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

John 11:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”

John 11:1-57 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ...

John 8:1-59 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” ...

Mark 6:1-56 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. ...

Mark 1:1-45 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ...

Amos 1:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. And he said: “The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.” Thus says the Lord : “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron. So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad. I will break the gate-bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitants from the Valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter from Beth-eden; and the people of Syria shall go into exile to Kir,” says the Lord . ...

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Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles , a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.