A Friend Better Than We Imagined

The title itself sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it?  Who has EVER had a friend who turned out to be better than we imagined?

Lace up your shoes, dear reader.  Let’s go exploring. 

This “friend” of whom I speak is none less than God himself through Jesus Christ His son.  No big surprise there.  But what else?

Consider this … God was not afraid of being contaminated by this world.  Would GOD send his Son to a world where there might be a danger of contamination?  Would He send Christ to a world where He might catch something, or hang out with the wrong crowd and be converted to the dark side? 

I’m quickly reminded that Jesus was often accused of hanging with the bad seed of his day.  In Matthew 9:11, the ruling religious big shots questions Jesus’ followers on this very thing. 

“Why does your leader eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

The implication here is that Christ might get contaminated.  He might catch some deadly disease.  He might be converted to their “sad and unruly ways.”

That is what Christ majored in.  Yes, He preached about the kingdom of God, and He built bridges to those hanging out on the edge of society.  He welcomed the marginally acceptable.  He invited them to a seat at the table of grace with Him. 

You see, Christ didn’t come for the rich and famous, or the high and mighty. 

Luke 5:32 says this:  “I’ve come to call sinners to change the way they think and act, not to call people who think they have God’s approval.”

~God’s Word Translation

He didn’t come to join the local yacht club.  He came to rub elbows with all of mankind.  And that word of hope reaches down through the ages of time right to where you and I sit this very moment.  He wants to hang with you and me. 

He doesn’t care if you are white, black, brown, red or yellow.  He doesn’t care if you drive a blue Chevy, or a grey Camry.  He doesn’t care if you wear Nike's or no shoes or all.  He doesn’t care if you vote for the popular party or if you can’t even read the voting ballot.  He spent time with people without a pre-conditioned set of rules.

He simply wants to have a relationship with you, an individual with a name, and a future with hope. 

 (Jeremiah 29:11)

It seems I remember He called twelve disciples.  HE called them.  I can’t remember any of them asking to be let in.  One we know was a traitor (Judas).  One was a doubter (Thomas).

Most of the others didn’t really believe He was the Christ until after His death and resurrection. 

He didn’t seek the qualified.  He sought followers who would be led and molded, and He hoped and prayed that they would ultimately allow His words of hope and redemption sink down deeply into their hearts and minds. 

And those who chose His words, and their followers, changed the world.  He just hung with them, spoke to them, and demonstrated a different lifestyle and way of life management.

Christ sought out all kinds of humanity. 

~He loved the people of his day even if they didn’t love back.

~He pursued some even though they would run away.

~He offered fellowship, a place of belonging, indiscriminately, with no conditions, and no strings attached. 

On Monday I met and conducted some business with a man named Cal. 

On Thursday Cal called me and wanted me to consider joining him in a multi-level marketing venture. 

I quickly shared my thoughts, which were that I had no interest in that pursuit at all.  I suspect I will never hear from Cal again.  Even though we had the makings of a good business friendship, Cal only wanted to pursue our friendship because of what I could possibly do for him as one of the pegs in his multi-level marketing empire.

Interesting note.  Christ didn’t befriend people simply to win them to his way.  He befriended them because they needed a friend who would stick closer than a brother.  

(Proverbs 18:24)

That seems to describe a Jesus who is better than we ever imagined.

That is incredible news. 

That is a Savior I call my friend.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time