My Best Friend

Someone once told me that I was either a genius or autistic. When I take the tests, add ADHD to that. As a child, I was home and mostly without peers for several years, so not socialized. My parents were told I would die before 15-16 so they didn’t teach me to live. Add to that thirty relocations, many too short to get to know people, and many involving being far from those I did know. This is not a pity party but an explanation why my thinking seems out of place in a social setting. Some look at me as if I am the white elephant in the room. Those who understand become dear friends, few in number but deeply appreciated.

Then there is Jesus. Of all the people I know, He is the closest, the most understanding, the one who sticks by me and explains life to me. Theologically, He is my righteousness and advocate as the following verses say:

For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. (Hebrews 9:24)
This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:22–25)
God saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. (2 Timothy 1:9)

Add to that that He endures. Often others get to know me and then ignore me. Jesus never does that. He is “the Lord, my righteousness.” and has “redeemed me from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for me” and for my sake was made sin even though He never sinned, so I could become righteous. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Not only that, I am secure — He will lose no one that the Father has given Him. All this is good reason to trust Him, but even more, I know Him as my best friend. He said:

You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:14–15)

Being close to Jesus, as most Christians know, means constant change. He works all things to transform us into His image. My husband says, “The closer I am to God, the closer I am to you.” This is true; being like Jesus is unifying, another reason He is so precious. He brings me through life experiences by using them for His plan for me. Not only that, He relates to my situations. He knows what it feels like to be misunderstood, ignored, dismissed, and rejected, even by His own people. He also knows the joy of unity with those who do understand, accept, and spend time with Him. He pulls together diversity without making clones or brain-washing to make us think alike, or be like puppets.

PRAY: Jesus, these are some of the reasons that I love You and that You are my Friend. It is Your doing all this, not what I am. You give me hope along with the reality of being like You as my eyes and heart focus on You — without much concern over what I’ve missed or the vacancies experienced. You fill the empty places. You, my incredible Lord and Savior — and Friend. Oh how I love You.

One way to be like Jesus

A priest goes into a sanctuary to pray for his parish. A pastor might pray in his office for his congregation. The people of God (who are the dwelling place themselves of the Holy Spirit) pray in their closets, or at work, or on a walking path, or in front of the kitchen sink for their friends and neighbors. Our Savior prays in eternity and before the throne of God for His people . . .

“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” (Hebrews 9:24)

The Bible says that the offspring of David (who is often spoken of as pointing to Jesus Christ) and those who believe in Him “shall endure forever” like “his throne as long as the sun before me.” (Psalm 89:36)

Jesus is my Substitute, my Surety, my Ransom, my Righteousness. God saved me and called me to a holy calling, not because of my works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave me in Christ Jesus before the ages began. (2 Timothy 1:9)

Jesus died under the penalty of God’s law, bearing my sin, shame, guilt and the wrath due me so that I will never be required to die. “Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for me . . . (Galatians 3:13) and for my sake, “God made Him sin who knew no sin, so that in Him I might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

This is past tense and already done, but Christ also takes care of today, tomorrow, and all time to come. How does He do that?

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1–2)

Jesus stands in my place today as my Advocate in heaven. Jesus Christ lives forever. His prayers are prayed forever.

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Jesus Christ saves — thoroughly saves. And how must I respond to this? I cannot die for the sins of others, or equip God’s people for righteousness. I cannot do much of anything yet God is at work in me to transform me into the image of His Son. One powerful way that I CAN be like Jesus is this:

“Stand strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God . . .  and stand against the schemes of the devil . . . praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also  . . . that words may be given to (me) in opening (my) mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel . . . that (I) may declare it boldly, as (I) ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10–20)

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Lord Jesus, what a privilege to be enlisted in Your army of warriors who stand against the evil one on behalf of Your work and Your people. Thank You for such good news to share, and for equipping me to fight the good fight and pray for others as You pray for me.