The quest to know Jesus deeply is at the heart of the Christian faith. As believers seek to understand Him more fully, three compelling ways stand out: knowing Jesus as Savior, as Lord, and as Friend. Each of these aspects reveals unique facets of His identity and deepens our relationship with Him.
1. Knowing Jesus as Savior
Understanding Jesus as the Savior is foundational to the Christian faith.
- Jesus’ Mission of Salvation: From the beginning, Jesus’ mission was to save humanity from sin and reconcile us to God. His sacrificial death on the cross and subsequent resurrection are central to this role.
- Scriptural Basis:
- John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
- Ephesians 1:7 – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
- John 15:13-14 ESV Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
- Illustration: Jesus’ interaction with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) exemplifies His role as Savior. By seeking out Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector, and offering him salvation, Jesus demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of His saving grace. I think of the times Jesus called me to himself so vividly. I was never worthy, never able to be good, never able to fill the void inside. Only He could fill emptiness inside me. Only He could give me joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Key Aspects of Knowing Jesus as Savior:
- Redemption and Forgiveness: Jesus’ death and resurrection provide redemption and the forgiveness of sins, offering believers a fresh start and a new identity in Him. Old things truly pass away and all things become new. Being born again is the best expression of the new nature that He gave me. I was truly dead in my sin, yet He made me alive. Alive to Him forevermore.
- Personal Transformation: Accepting Jesus as Savior leads to a profound personal transformation, as seen in the lives of those He encountered and saved. Amazing transformative power in the blood of Christ. Nothing else could wash away my sin. Nothing but the saving blood of Jesus. Yes, thank God I know Him as Savior!
- John 6:66-69 ESV After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” [68] Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.
2. Knowing Jesus as Lord
Recognizing Jesus as Lord emphasizes His authority and the call to follow Him wholeheartedly.
- Jesus’ Lordship and Authority: To know Jesus as Lord is to acknowledge His authority over all aspects of life and to submit to His guidance and commands.
- Scriptural Basis:
- Philippians 2:9-11 – “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
- Romans 10:9 – “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
- Illustration: The calling of the first disciples (Matthew 4:18-22) illustrates Jesus’ lordship. When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him, they immediately left their nets and followed, demonstrating their recognition of His authority and their commitment to His lordship.
Key Aspects of Knowing Jesus as Lord:
- Obedience and Discipleship: Knowing Jesus as Lord involves a commitment to follow Him, obey His teachings, and live according to His will.
- Transformation of Priorities: Accepting Jesus’ lordship often requires a radical reordering of one’s life and priorities to align with His purposes.
3. Knowing Jesus as Friend
Understanding Jesus as Friend highlights His personal and intimate relationship with believers.
- Jesus’ Friendship and Compassion: Jesus as Friend reveals His deep care and compassion for His followers, inviting them into a close, personal relationship.
- Scriptural Basis:
- John 15:15 – “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
- Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
- Illustration: Jesus’ interaction with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:1-44) exemplifies His friendship. His deep compassion and sorrow at Lazarus’ death show His genuine care and personal connection with His friends.
Key Aspects of Knowing Jesus as Friend:
- Intimacy and Understanding: Jesus as Friend offers believers an intimate relationship where He understands their struggles, joys, and sorrows.
- Comfort and Encouragement: Knowing Jesus as Friend provides comfort and encouragement, as He walks alongside believers in their daily lives.
Stories Illustrating Jesus’ Friendship
- Jesus and Lazarus:
- In John 11:1-44, the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead provides a profound example of His friendship. When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” Jesus’ deep relationship with Lazarus is evident in His emotional response to Lazarus’ death. When He arrived at the tomb, Jesus wept, showing His compassion and empathy for the pain His friends were experiencing. Ultimately, Jesus’ power and love are displayed as He raises Lazarus from the dead, highlighting the depth of His care and the lengths He is willing to go for His friends.
- Jesus and His Disciples:
- Throughout the Gospels, Jesus’ interactions with His disciples reveal His role as a friend. In John 13:23, during the Last Supper, John is described as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” This title indicates a special bond and closeness between Jesus and John. Jesus’ willingness to wash the feet of His disciples (John 13:1-17) further exemplifies His humble, servant-hearted friendship, teaching them to serve one another in love.
- Jesus and Peter:
- After His resurrection, Jesus’ encounter with Peter in John 21:15-19 showcases His forgiving and restorative friendship. Despite Peter’s denial of Jesus before the crucifixion, Jesus lovingly reinstates Peter, asking him three times, “Do you love Me?” This exchange not only reaffirms Peter’s place among the disciples but also demonstrates Jesus’ willingness to forgive and restore relationships.
- Jesus and Mary Magdalene:
- In John 20:11-18, Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus at the tomb illustrates a deep, personal friendship. Mary, weeping outside the tomb, does not recognize Jesus at first. When He calls her by name, “Mary,” she immediately recognizes Him and responds with “Rabboni” (Teacher). This personal call by name signifies the intimate and tender relationship Jesus has with His followers.
- Jesus and the Emmaus Disciples:
- In Luke 24:13-35, the story of Jesus walking with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection demonstrates His desire for fellowship and companionship. As they walk, Jesus opens the Scriptures to them, explaining the prophecies about Himself. Their eyes are opened to His identity when He breaks bread with them, revealing His deep relational connection and desire to reveal Himself to those who seek Him.
Intimacy and Understanding
Jesus as Friend offers believers an intimate relationship where He understands their struggles, joys, and sorrows. This friendship is characterized by:
- Personal Connection: Jesus knows and calls His followers by name, indicating a personal and individual relationship (John 10:3).
- Empathy and Compassion: Jesus empathizes with the human experience, having endured suffering and temptation Himself (Hebrews 4:15). This enables Him to provide comfort and support that is deeply rooted in understanding.
- Encouragement and Presence: Jesus promises to be with His followers always, offering His presence as a source of strength and encouragement (Matthew 28:20).
Old Testament Prophecies Revealing the Nature of Christ
- Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
- This prophecy highlights the multifaceted nature of Jesus, indicating His roles as a mighty God and a compassionate counselor.
Key Aspects of Knowing Jesus as Friend
- Intimacy and Understanding: Jesus as Friend offers believers an intimate relationship where He understands their struggles, joys, and sorrows. He is entreatable, willing to restore and revive us, kind and compassionate, and faithful. A friend we can completely rely on and one who has the ability and authority to help us through life’s demanding circumstances.
- Comfort and Encouragement: Knowing Jesus as Friend provides comfort and encouragement, as He walks alongside believers in their daily lives. I haveva friend who is all to me!
Knowing Jesus as Friend deepens the personal and intimate relationship believers can have with Him. It reveals His compassion, empathy, and unwavering presence in the lives of His followers. This friendship with Jesus offers a profound sense of comfort and encouragement, reinforcing the idea that to know God is truly to know Jesus’ heart.
An Excellent Story of a Great Friend: David and Jonathan
One of the most profound examples of friendship in the Bible is the relationship between David and Jonathan. Their friendship is characterized by deep loyalty, mutual respect, and sacrificial love. This story exemplifies the qualities of a true and great friend.
Background
David, a young shepherd boy, had been anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king of Israel. Jonathan was the son of King Saul, the reigning king of Israel. Despite the potential threat David posed to Jonathan’s future as the heir to the throne, Jonathan recognized God’s anointing on David and formed a deep, loyal friendship with him.
The Beginning of the Friendship
- Mutual Respect and Love:
- When David defeated Goliath, he was brought before King Saul. Jonathan, witnessing David’s bravery and faith in God, felt a deep connection to him. The Bible describes their initial meeting: “Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1). This verse highlights the instant bond and mutual respect that formed the foundation of their friendship.
- Covenant of Friendship:
- Jonathan and David made a covenant of friendship, symbolizing their commitment to each other. Jonathan gave David his robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt (1 Samuel 18:3-4), signifying his willingness to support David even at the cost of his own future as king. This act demonstrated Jonathan’s selflessness and loyalty.
Loyalty in Adversity
- Defending David:
- As David’s popularity grew, King Saul became increasingly jealous and sought to kill him. Jonathan, torn between his loyalty to his father and his friendship with David, chose to defend David. He warned David of his father’s intentions and helped him escape from Saul’s wrath (1 Samuel 19:1-3).
- Sacrificial Love:
- In a poignant moment, Jonathan risked his life to protect David. He confronted his father, saying, “Why should he be killed? What has he done?” (1 Samuel 20:32). Saul, in his rage, threw a spear at Jonathan, showing his intent to kill his own son for siding with David. Jonathan’s willingness to confront his father and risk his life for David highlights the sacrificial nature of their friendship.
Final Farewell
- Emotional Parting:
- Realizing that David’s life was in grave danger, Jonathan met David in secret to say goodbye. They wept together, and Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘May the Lord be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever’” (1 Samuel 20:42). This emotional farewell demonstrated the depth of their bond and their trust in God to preserve their friendship beyond their separation.
- Continued Loyalty:
- Even after Jonathan’s death, David honored their covenant of friendship. He sought out Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, to show kindness to him for Jonathan’s sake (2 Samuel 9:1-13). David’s act of kindness to Mephibosheth is a testament to the enduring nature of their friendship and David’s loyalty to Jonathan’s memory.
Lessons from David and Jonathan’s Friendship
- Selflessness: Jonathan’s willingness to support David, even at the cost of his own future, exemplifies true selflessness. A great friend puts the needs and well-being of their friend above their own interests.
- Loyalty: Despite the danger to his own life, Jonathan remained loyal to David. True friends stand by each other through thick and thin.
- Sacrificial Love: Jonathan’s actions demonstrated sacrificial love. He risked his life to protect David and remained committed to their friendship, even when it was difficult.
- Mutual Respect: The mutual respect and love between David and Jonathan laid a strong foundation for their friendship. They valued and honored each other’s strengths and calling.
The friendship between David and Jonathan is a timeless example of what it means to be a great friend. Their story teaches us about loyalty, selflessness, and sacrificial love. In the same way, understanding Jesus as a friend reveals His deep care, compassion, and willingness to walk closely with His followers, offering an intimate bond that surpasses mere acquaintance. Just as Jonathan’s friendship brought support and strength to David, Jesus’ friendship brings comfort, encouragement, and a profound sense of belonging to believers.
By embracing Jesus as Savior, Lord, and Friend, believers can experience a fuller, richer relationship with Him, marked by redemption, authority, hope, and intimate companionship.
Knowing Jesus deeply involves embracing Him as Savior, Lord, and Friend. Each of these roles reveals vital aspects of His identity and His relationship with believers:
- As Savior, He provides redemption and eternal life.
- As Lord, He commands authority and calls for obedience.
- As Friend, He offers intimacy, understanding, and comfort.
By exploring these dimensions, believers can develop a more comprehensive and intimate understanding of Jesus, deepening their faith and commitment to Him. B