The Unwavering Friendship of Jesus
Imagine having a friend who never turns you away, no matter how messy or imperfect your life may be. A friend who doesn’t just tolerate your presence but genuinely delights in spending time with you. This is the kind of friendship Jesus offers us.
In Matthew 11:19, Jesus is criticized for being a friend to tax collectors and sinners. But what does it mean for Christ to be a friend to sinners? At its core, it means He enjoys their company and makes them feel welcome and at ease.
A Heart of Tender Love
In Luke 15, we see tax collectors and sinners drawing near to Jesus, eager to hear Him. They sense something different about Him – a heart of tender love that is drawn to those who are suffering and struggling.
Jesus’ friendship is not like human friendships, which have limits and conditions. His friendship gets underneath the pain of our loneliness, making it bearable. He walks with us through every moment, knowing the pain of being betrayed by a friend, but promising never to betray us.
No Need to Hide
With Jesus, we don’t need to hide or pretend to be someone we’re not. We can come to Him with our burdens, our sins, and our failures. Our very burden is what qualifies us to come to Him.
A Friendship That Never Fails
While human friendships can be wonderful, they are imperfect and can fail us. But Jesus’ friendship is unwavering and never-failing. He will always delight in our presence, no matter what.
Going with the Flow of His Heart
When we come to Christ for mercy, love, and help, we are going with the flow of His own deepest wishes, not against them. His heart beats for us, and He longs to be our friend.
A New Kind of Friendship
Jesus offers us a new kind of friendship, one that is not based on performance or perfection. It’s a friendship that is rooted in His unwavering love and acceptance of us, just as we are.
Will you accept this offer of friendship from Jesus? Will you come to Him with your burdens, your sins, and your failures? He promises to never turn you away.
Leave a Reply