Friend

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:36:-43; John 20:26-29 (day four)

Jesus desires a relationship with us. Those of us who have been in the church for many years know this well and might even take that truth for granted. We sing songs that tell us “what a friend we have in Jesus,” and that he “walks with me and talks with me.” But stop for a moment to consider how significant it is that the God of the universe desires intimate friendship with us.

Jesus lovingly developed friendships with the disciples during his ministry, and these friendships were on the top of his mind after his resurrection. He tended to them with gentleness and patience as they processed the reality of the resurrection. He lingered with them, making sure they understood that it was truly him, the same friend they had walked with for three years. And when Thomas was absent for the first appearance to the gathered disciples, Jesus returns, just for Thomas, not wanting to leave any of his friends in the dark. Jesus could have moved on, trusting the disciples would convince Thomas to believe. But Jesus is both our Friend and our Good Shepherd. He came back, just for Thomas, to bring him into resurrection joy.

We share this same friendship with Jesus. He lovingly tends to us in our doubt, shame, fear, and unbelief. He leaves the ninety-nine to minister to the one. He comes for us just as he came for Thomas, with the purest love we could ever know. What a friend we have in Jesus.