A friend is faithful and loyal, confides in you, gives up things for you, watches out for you, and shares their life with you. As Christians, we are often bothered by the question, is Jesus our friend?
Jesus is our friend. On the night before the day, He was crucified and died on the cross; Jesus told His followers that He would be their friend if only they met one condition, do as He commands them, which is to love one another as He loves us.
Does the Bible say Jesus is our friend? Where in the Bible does it say Jesus is our friend? What does it mean that Jesus is our friend? Did Jesus call himself our friend? Is there a condition to Jesus’ friendship? What should we do to maintain friendship with Jesus? What does it mean that Jesus is a friend of sinners? What are the Bible verses about friendship with Jesus? Keep reading to learn more!
Does the Bible say Jesus is our friend?
The Bible clearly states that Jesus is our friend if we do what He commands us to do.
Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever, I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; John 15:13-15. You can learn from this passage that Jesus is willing to do anything for you, even death so that you can have the chance to have eternal life. One of the traits of a good friend is being loyal and giving up things for you.
Therefore, as the Bible says, Jesus is our friend. All that is needed of you is to accept His friendship invitation, with the main condition being doing as He commands you and having faith and believing in Him.
Where in the Bible does it say Jesus is our friend?
In John 15:13-15, Jesus tells you what He is willing to sacrifice for you because He views you as a friend. He suffered and was crucified so that your sins could be forgiven. This has given you the chance to have eternal life in paradise. Also, the passage outlines what Jesus expects of you in return, doing as He commands. If you follow His commands, you change from being viewed as a servant to being Jesus’ friend.
What does it mean that Jesus is our friend?
If you want to be Jesus’ friend, you have to meet some conditions. As mentioned, you have to love the people around you as you love yourself. Also, you have to denounce your sinful past and follow in His footsteps.
He promises that those who become His friends will be given everything they ask from His Father in His name. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you, John 15:16.
Did Jesus call himself our friend?
Jesus referred to all willing to follow in His footsteps as friends, John 15:15. This passage states that Jesus no longer considers them as a servant but as a friend because He has no secret for you. He has told you all that His Father wanted Him to tell you.
Is there a condition to Jesus’ friendship?
Jesus promises He is our friend by dying for us on the cross. In return, He asks you to do something straightforward; love others as He loves you. This is one of the few conditions He gives to those wishing to become His friends. “These things I command you, that ye love one another,” John 15:17. Also, if you want to be His friend, Jesus instructs that you denounce the world and follow in His footsteps. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it,” Matthew 16:25. This passage should not be taken to mean that Jesus expects to die for Him. He meant that He expects you to give up the worldly ways of doing things and do them the way He commands.
The worldly or ungodly way of doing things only leads to death. It will help if you put your old self to death. It is only then that Jesus will establish a friendship with you. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” Galatians 6:6. As I mentioned, you do not have to die a physical death but agree to change your ways and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Before accepting Christ, Paul used to persecute Christians. However, after his life-changing encounter with Jesus, He becomes a changed man and spreads the Gospel far and wide. This is precisely what Jesus calls you to do, denounce your past and become His friend or faithful follower.
As outlined in John 15:16, Jesus expects you to bear fruits or bring in new followers by spreading the Gospel.
What should we do to maintain friendship with Jesus?
If you want to maintain your friendship with Jesus, you have to remain connected to Him. Do as He commands you, John 15:14. First, as Christians, you must love one another; love other people as you love yourself. Have faith and believe in Him. Also, denounce your sinful past and follow in His footsteps. If you do this, your friendship with Jesus will last forever.
What does it mean that Jesus is a friend of sinners?
Jesus is a friend of sinners because human beings are sinful by nature. For this reason, Jesus suffered and was crucified on the cross; so that your sins could be forgiven and have the opportunity to have eternal life. His friendship with you is the strongest possible.
Bible verses about friendship with Jesus
John 15:13. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. In this verse, Jesus tells His followers what He is willing to give up for them because He considers them His friends.
John 15:14. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever, I command you. In this verse, Jesus tells His followers what He expects from them in return; He expects them to do what He tells them.
John 15:15. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” In this verse, Jesus states that He sees all those that obey His command as friends, not servants.
References
bible.org. (n.d.). Lesson 82: Are you a friend of Jesus? (John 15:12-17). Retrieved January 8, 2023
biblword.net. (2022). Is Jesus our best friend? Retrieved January 8, 2023
kingjamesbibleonline.org. (2015). King James Bible online. Retrieved January 8, 2023
todayintheword.org. (n.d.). Daily devotional: Jesus as our friend. Retrieved January 8, 2023
ucg.org. (2018). What does it mean that Jesus is our friend? Retrieved January 8, 2023
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
