09 Jan Jesus is Your Friend and Lord: Jesus’ Best Friend John Day 2
When God walked the earth, He did not have a spouse, but He did have a best friend named John.
John was there when Jesus preached His sermons, performed His miracles, and publicly endured slander and scorn. Unlike Judas, John never betrayed Jesus. Unlike Thomas, John never doubted Jesus. Unlike Peter, John never denied Jesus.
John was the kind of friend we all wish we had. John is also the kind of friend we all should wish we could be.
After witnessing Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to heaven, John wrote five books of the Bible (the Gospel of John, 1–3 John, and Revelation). If you have ever doubted whether the biblical picture of Jesus as God, King, and Lord is accurate, consider for a moment the credibility of John.
John establishes his credibility as second to none in the opening lines of one of his letters, saying in 1 John 1:1–4:
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Unlike anyone else, John’s report about Jesus is firsthand. What he teaches us are things he heard from Jesus with his own ears, saw with his own eyes, and touched with his own hands.
There was no one else alive at the time to speak to the entire Christian church with the authority that John exercises throughout the letter.
John begins his letter by establishing his credibility as a teacher: He was a friend and apostle of Jesus who was present for His entire ministry, to hear Jesus’ teaching, to see Jesus’ life and miracles, and to touch Jesus’ resurrected body. John’s argument is very compelling because eyewitness testimony would have been the most credible kind of evidence in an age that was devoid of technology.
There is simply no one more credible about Christ and Christianity than Father John, because he was Jesus’ best friend. Of anyone on the earth, he had the most intimate access to Jesus during His ministry years. He was the last living of the 12 disciples. And he was the father of early Christianity who trained the first generations of Christian pastors.
What is amazing about John’s writings about Jesus is that John has what is called by theologians “high Christology.” What this fancy word means in plain terms is that John has the highest possible view of Jesus Christ as Creator, King, and Sovereign Lord worthy of all glory!
This is the same Jesus who John went for walks with, ate meals with, and hung out with as buddies for three years. Despite the warm friendship, John also rightly saw Jesus as his Lord!
How about you? Are you more comfortable considering Jesus as close friend or distant Lord? In your weaker area, spend some time today praying to the Lord asking Him to help you have a relationship with Jesus like John did, as BOTH your friend and Lord.
