Jesus is my friend. To me, this statement seemed exaggerated in my youth. Friends were people with whom you spent time, shared your dreams, listened to you in bad times, and spent time having fun together. Why would I think that Jesus is my friend? We didn't spend any time together! John 15:13, "No one has greater love than to lay down his life for his friends," was hollow in my heart.
Years later, that Scripture came to my heart like thunder, transforming my mind, life, and the way I saw the great sacrifice Jesus made for me. I understood that He gave His life for me, demonstrating His great love and mercy, allowing me to be free from any sin.
Jesus is my faithful friend. In my moments of solitude, He understands because He spent time alone. In my moments of pain, He comforts me because He was whipped and beaten; on Him, all the punishment of humanity fell.
Jesus is my friend as He teaches, corrects, and guides me. Just as He did with His friends, His disciples, teaching them God's words of truth. In John 15:15, Jesus says,
"I no longer call them servants, because the servant is not aware of what his master does; I have called you friends, because whatever I heard my Father say I have made known to you."
There is nothing that goes unnoticed by Jesus. In intimacy with Him, I can entrust my dreams, longings, doubts, failures, burdens, joys, and triumphs to Him. He listens to me, and I listen to Him. As I read the Bible and pray, I can hear His voice, feel His love, and above all, hear the advice of a friend who cares about my life.
Do you want to meet a faithful friend? A friend who will never abandon you? A friend who understands and supports you? Do you want to meet a friend who still seeks you and wants to show you His love despite your mistakes and faults?
Look for that friend called Jesus, and He will hear your prayer and know your affliction. He will receive you with open arms, for He is merciful, and His love for you is great.
Prayer:
Lord, I want you to be my friend. Help me in my loneliness, pain, and affliction. Guide me with Your words of truth, envelop me in Your arms of love. Be my faithful friend. I want to have intimacy with You to such a degree that I hear Your voice, and You change my life. I know that you gave Your life for me to be free from my sin; I thank You because I can trust You with my life. Amen.
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Scripture is quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
