Jesus Ministers as Friend

[mominbolt]

Jesus was a genuine friend to all to whom He ministered. He wanted the best for every person who received His ministry.

Christians like to think, talk, and sing about Jesus as their friend. This fact is reflected in many Christian songs, choruses, and hymns;
"What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear." "I have found a friend in Jesus, He's all the world to me, His love is ever true." "Friendship with Jesus! Fellowship divine!"

What is the character of a true friend? The Bible gives an answer to this question. "A friend loves at all times" (Proverbs 17:17).

A real friend is one who loves us, and keeps on loving us through times good and bad. A true friend does not cease to care for us because we are wear or fail or become sick or fall into trouble. Such a friend is Jesus. He never stops loving us and ministering to us.

True friendship is the crowning achievement of relationships. What is the relationship between a husband and wife, if they are not friends? What is the relationship between parents and children, if they are not friends? What is the relationship between us and Christ, if we are not friends?

The friendship of Christ is extremely important to us, because in His friendship we recognize that God is our friend. God is not our enemy. God is not against us. He is for us; and He proved this by giving His own Son to be our Savior.

Jesus' critics scorned Him as "a friend of sinners." Now, we praise God that Jesus was, and still is, a friend of sinners. We who believe in Him as our Savior and Lord are saved by His grace, because He is a friend of sinners.

The earthly ministry of Jesus was a ministry of friendship, born of God's love, mercy, and compassion for all people. Christ's continuing ministry through His Spirit, and through His people, is still a ministry of friendship. It is the friendship of service to others that springs from the good will of God's love for all people.

Therefore, as believers in Christ we sing: "Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all...He's my friend."

[mamadita]

Mar. 17, 2009 at 6:17 PM

GLORY!  GLORY!  GLORY!

[kymbernv]

Mar. 17, 2009 at 8:50 PM

He's my friend....AMEN!!

[RettsMom]

Mar. 17, 2009 at 10:23 PM

Great post.....voted popular!  Praising God that He is my friend that sticks closer than a brother!