Jesus Christ is a great friend. That means everything when you know how badly you need a friend.But He was vilified for being a friend to the wrong people. Jesus reflected on this with some irony when He addressed the Pharisees:
For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ (Luke 7:33, 34, ESV)
Guess who would think being a friend of sinners is a bad thing? People who don’t see themselves as sinners! But if you are a sinner, it’s great to have a Friend like Jesus!
Usually the lonely, needy people are the ones seeking friends, and the contented, satisfied people already have plenty. If you’ve ever been an outsider in a new community, one where relationships are established and stable, you know how hopeless that can feel.
Christ has no need for more friends. The fellowship of the Trinity was and is eternally satisfying. But still He came to establish friendship with those who were by nature His enemies (cf. Jas. 4:4).
There’s never been a Friend like Jesus, and how grateful I am that He drew me into His circle.
