Is Jesus Your Best Friend?نموونە

Jesus laid down his life for his friends

Jesus calls his disciples to abide in God’s love and to love each other as Jesus has loved them. Then He mentions the supreme act of love: laying down one’s life for a friend. That is exactly what Jesus would do! The disciples did not yet fully understand that He had come to die, but Jesus Himself was fully aware of his mission. He knew there was no other way to provide salvation for his “friends”.

Romans 5 goes one step further, in stressing that we were not even “friends” of Jesus yet when He died for us. We were still enemies of God when He decided to pay for our sins and to offer us forgiveness. This text reminds us of the fact that Jesus’ love for us is not based on our being remarkably nice and pleasing in God’s sight. It is His work of grace, not our effort. If we love God, it is only because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). If we are Jesus’ friend, it is only because He offered us friendship when we were still rebellious sinners.

Thank you, Jesus, for your endless love for me!