Jesus, The Best Friend of All

Almost everyone has a friend either at school, in their neighbourhood or even at church. Some may have friends in all these places, while some people have friends in different categories – friends and best friends. Have you ever been disappointed by a dear friend? Well, I have experienced one before, and it did not feel good at all. The lesson I learnt was that all of us humans are flawed; thus, even the best of friends can disappoint. Today, I introduce a dear friend to you, the only friend who will never disappoint you. His name is Jesus.

Many of us know Jesus as ‘The Son of God’, ‘The Saviour of the world’, ‘The Soon-Coming King’, and the list goes on. It is saddening that very few of us know Jesus as a friend or a best friend. It is a fact that Jesus is all that and more, but most of all, Jesus wants to be your friend. Though Jesus is the Son of God, the Bible mentions that he had many friends on earth. Firstly, in John 15:15, Jesus says to his disciples, “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”.

Also, the gospel mentions that when Lazarus, a good friend of Jesus, died, Jesus said, “…Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up” (John 11:11). In that same story, we have the shortest quotation in the entire Bible, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Jesus wept when he saw others mourn his friend, and later brought him back to life to the glory of God. So much love for a friend. This confirms that Jesus is truly the “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24). He is the only friend who would “be with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28: 20)!

Jesus had several friends on earth (John 13:23; Luke 19:5; Luke 24:28-30). And guess what? He had already selected you as his friend before you were born!

John 15:13 declares, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for his friends.” This scripture talks about how Jesus died to save the entire world, including you and me. Interestingly, the Bible refers to everyone Jesus died for as Jesus’ friends. So, once you believe that Jesus died for your sake, you have the chance to be his friend. However, friendship with Jesus requires more than knowing that Jesus died for you. Jesus tells his disciples that “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). This reveals that the friendship with Jesus demands a relationship and responsibility. Anyone who truly desires to be in friendship with Jesus must intentionally accept him and obey his commands. The closer you come to him in obedience, the closer Jesus also draws to you (James 4:8).

How To Be Friends with Jesus

1. Believe in your heart that Jesus is real – just like your friends in school and at home. “…Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists…” (Hebrews 11:6).

2. Talk to Jesus in prayer – just as often as you talk with your friends. Talk to him every day about everything through prayer. “Pray continually and… ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (1 Thess. 5:17; John 14:14).

3. Listen to Him – as you listen to your friends when they speak to you in a conversation. Jesus speaks too, through His Word (The Bible). “For the word of God is living and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12).

4. Do what He commands – as you respect your friends by doing what they like and avoiding what they dislike. Find out what Jesus desires and do it. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).

5. Trust Him – unlike humans, you should trust Jesus. In all situations, trust that Jesus wants the best for you. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5).

Now that you know about Jesus, it is time to accept Him as your friend. You may be like that man who befriended Jesus at the last minute on the cross. It is never too late to be a friend of Jesus. As Jesus promised him, saying, “… Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), Jesus promises you the same: eternal life in heaven with him, for where He is, there you will also be (John 14:3). Say this prayer now to let him in as he knocks on the door of your heart (Rev. 3:20).

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank you for the invitation to be your friend.

Today, I accept to be your friend, and to live my life with you.

Be with me now and forevermore,

In the name of Jesus, I pray.

Amen!