Jesus My Friend

*Jesus My Friend* By Jesse James November 25, 2008

Many days when things seem depressing, feeling defeated, and just wanting a friend to talk to can seem to be unachieveable. Tears of pain, hurt, and etc., can fill our days of feeling so unworthy and so alone. In search of relief, it can feel like we are all alone with no one to hear our hearts cry. Even if there was, the fear of being judged, condemned or be unaccepted could prevent us from sharing our heaviness. Fear of exposure can make us say we are okay. Living in a world full of despair can be very difficult, but when someone shakes your hand and asks, "How are you doing", do they really want to know? Many will say that everythingis great, but deep inside if we started to share the turmoils with the one who asked the question, the biggest percentage of the time they can justify their lack of interest by saying they have a meeting right away, but God Bless you and I will pray for you, or sometimes they pass it by, by saying just give it to Jesus, or they use if for sharing with another sister or brother, (better known as gossip) as they may find it hard to carry another's burden.

What if Jesus reacted this way to us, and disappeared out of sight showing little interest in our struggles. Second chances would be so rare if He failed to hear our cries.
What did Jesus do that reassured us He was different from everyone else? He taught us by showing us we must reach out in love to one another. He loves us unconditionally, but there are things that help us mature and learn about healthy relationships where each one participates in it's growth.

The greatest love of all time was when Jesus died upon the cross so we could have a second chance in our lives, and then learn how to give another a second chance in their crisis.
Jeremiah 29:11 - 14 "In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me, I will be found by you," says the Lord, "I will end your captivity..." This text tells me that if I look for him, He will be found by me. This reassures me that I have my part to fulfill, and that we are responsible to seek Him out. God didn't find me, He knew where I was, and when I turned and cried out to Him He was there waiting for me to approach Him.

When I earnestly decided to seek Him out, and tried to be obedient, He immediately became my friend. He knew who I was, where I had been, what I had done, and how far down in the pit I was by doing it my way for so long. In the human world there are second chances, but some are developed over time depending on the hurt by another. Gracefully, with Jesus it is immediate, even in all our imperfections. In John 15:14-17 "14 You are my friends if you obey my commandments. 15 I don't call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn't know what his master is doing. But I've called you friends because I've made known to you everything that I've heard from my Father. 16 You didn't choose me, but I chose you. 17 Love each other. This is what I'm commanding you to do". He calls me His friend, but I still have my part, I must be obedient and love others- WOW!!!
This can be difficult with some, but it is so rewarding. Jesus has so freely given to us, but there are no free rides in our friendship with Him, because we do have our responsibilities to give back and follow His commands.

During our friendship, there will be times we will be led to do some challenging commands other than just loving others. Sometimes, this love can take us beyond what we think is possible and fear will come to life in us. Our decision is to either follow through in faith, or allow that fear to control us. My Lord, who is so faithful to me, promises me in, Isa 41:10,11 says "10 Don't be afraid, because I am with you. Don't be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand.11 “Everyone who is angry with you will be ashamed and disgraced. Those who oppose you will be reduced to nothing and disappear". What a friend who continually protects us, just like He did when He died to protect us from eternity in Hell.
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) "8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Therefore, if He died to protect us from eternal damnation, I believe He wants to guide us and protect us through life here on earth that can be destructive to us. What a friend to have from the beginning to the end, and into eternity. To sit back and not accept this friend, of such MAGNITUDE, THE KING OF KINGS, can define our lack of faith or just maybe we don't believe it is possible to be befriended with so much love in all our imperfections by such a person as Jesus.
In addition, sitting back and reading these notes, there was something that really stood out. In our relationship with Jesus, we become accountable to Him, and see to it that our relationship goes both ways. He never changes, so we must learn, from Him, what a healthy relationship is all about by following His example by changing our ways, and not the ones prone to failure in this world. He has displayed to us His side of a relationship, but He has also instructed us what our part is. Are we willing to learn from the scripture, and put into action our responsibility to be more like Him. To give and receive in love is an example of how friendships, or relationships, should be, and some examples from the previous texts are giving below.

1st. He died on the cross; 2nd. We are to search for Him; 3rd He will free us from captivity; 4rd He is our friend if we obey His Commandments; 5th we have our part in fulfilling the plan; 6th. He will protect us; 7th. we must deal with our issues; 8th. He never changes; and 9th. we are to keep persevering.

If we fail to do our part, then why do we expect Him to do His part? If we fail to have progression in our relationship with Him, then how can we expect to have healthy and mature relationships
with those around us? Regardless, they are all two way relationships that consist of effort, acceptance, love, prayer, and to be genuine, just like JESUS MY FRIEND.