Jesus My Friend

"What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!" "I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend! He loved me ere I knew Him." "Jesus! What a friend for sinners! Jesus! Lover of my soul." "A friend I have called Jesus, whose love is strong and true." "I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee, precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; and I know that Thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end."

These words are from just some of the hymns that refer to Jesus as a friend. It is comforting to think of Jesus in that way, but is it truly valid or appropriate to call Jesus a friend? After all, He is God. Is the term friend too familiar?

Part of the answer can be found in knowing how friends interact. Friends do things for each other. Friends talk to each other. Friends give advice to each other. Friends share hospitality with each other. Friends protect each other. Friends pray for each other. Friends comfort each other. Friends rejoice together. Friends are interested in one other. Each of these aspects of friendship is revealed in both the Bible (through examples and instruction) and in human observation.

Does Jesus (or God the Father, for that matter) fit these characteristics for a believer? Absolutely. In fact, Jesus is the very best example in every case. These characteristics do require a deeper understanding, however. Technically, an enemy or an impartial bystander could do some of these things. Friendship, however, implies love and care as the basis for these actions. Again, Jesus stands out as exemplary. All His actions and interactions are based in love. When Jesus does something or gives advice or protects or comforts, His actions stem from a heart of overflowing love.

While examination of these characteristics support the fact that Jesus can legitimately be called a friend, there is even greater support. Jesus Himself claimed that role, as did God the Father. God was a friend to Abraham. Referring back to II Chronicles 20:7 and/or Isaiah 41:8, James 2:23 states, "Abraham believed God ... and he was called the friend of God." Moses was also identified in this way. "Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend" (Exodus 33:11).

Amazingly, Jesus even called Judas "friend" in Matthew 26:50, although the Greek word used refers merely to a comrade or clansman. Jesus used a much stronger word to address others around Him. The Greek word used elsewhere by Jesus refers to a dear friend, associate, or neighbor; it implies fondness. Jesus used this word regarding sinners, acknowledging that He was accused of being "a friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Matthew 11:19, Luke 7:34). Jesus was a friend even to those who rejected His friendship.

Jesus chose that same strong word regarding His relationship with His disciples. He used it in direct address as He encouraged His disciples in Luke 12:4. He used the word to identify Lazarus in John 11:11. Most notably, in His love-filled and love-prompted last discourse to His disciples, Jesus used this word deliberately. "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 15:14-15). In the same discourse He declared Himself to be their greatest friend. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

Indeed, Jesus is a friend to sinners and to Christians in particular. He proves His friendship through His actions, His character, and His words. Jesus wants Christians to be His friends, and they show the depth of their friendship to Him by how willing they are to follow His commandments. The friendship and fellowship between God and Christians are sweetest when they "walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light" (I John 1:7). "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). When a Christian's agenda, desires, and ambitions are in opposition to God's, the friendship is on rough terrain.

It should be the Christian's goal throughout life to grow in his friendship with God. He should want the walk to be ever closer and the fellowship ever sweeter. He should want to grow to know and appreciate this great Friend more and more as time goes by. The words of this song ought to be true: "Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Every day with Jesus I love Him more and more."

Do those who hesitate to call Jesus the familiar term friend have a point? Yes, there is clearly an element of Christianity that wants to view everything as friendship, love, forgiveness, and liberty. They might use rhetoric like, "As long as I love God and He loves me, everything is okay." In actuality, this is a failure to recognize what love and friendship demand. The deeper picture, however, is that in general people focus either on God's love or on His holiness. There are some who have so clung to God's love that His holiness has no impact on their lives. This is a danger and an error.

There are also some whose background has instructed them very well in the holiness of God, but has failed miserably in teaching the love of God. These people also face danger and error, as they view God as impersonal and harsh. They need to learn that God is their friend, and they need to grow in that friendship. The love and friendship are what make service and godly living meaningful. They are what cause Christianity to be alive and willingly embraced, as something to be joyful about. God is a friend whose friendship requires harmony and obedience.