Talks

Matt continued our “Who do you say I am?” Series and brought us PART 2 of “Jesus is a Friend.”

Friends of Jesus:

The disciples: Jesus says in John 15:15-16 I no longer call you servants….. Instead, I have called you friends…  They would have known Jesus has Rabi or Teacher but in this moment – Jesus was calling them FRIENDS!
Mary, Martha and Lazarus: Jesus empathised with them, ate with them, wept with them and loved them. Often meeting with them in their home, to relax in this intimate setting.
“Friend of sinners” – For example Zacchaeus! Zacchaeus was a tax collector for the Romans who cheated people out of their money.  Which meant he was despised by all the Jews in his community, yet Jesus singled him out, knew his name and invited Himself to eat in Zacchaeus’ home.  He does the same for us too!  He knows you by name and whatever you’ve done or haven’t done – he wants to come to your “HOME” today too!
Matt sang to us!  An old children’s song.. that finished with the line: “He (Jesus) wants to be your very best friend….”  He explained that he used to think that Jesus being our friend was something to learn in Sunday school, and maybe even rather “twee” but as he’s got older, come to value friendship as one of the most important things in his life. Why?
He said: “Close Friends are people who….

... I can trust deeply…
... understand me…
... “get” me…
... are in for the long haul, are loyal
... celebrate the goods time and cry with me during the struggles…
... give me the assurance that I am known and loved….

A new realisation that these qualities are also exactly the reason that we would want to know Jesus as OUR friend too today!  Earthly friends will let us down, Jesus never will.

What does it look like for you to have a friendship with Jesus today? Why not ask Him!?