Day #8 - Jesus’ Method: friendship

Day 8

Jesus’ Method: friendship

Read: Luke 5:27-32

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Over the last week we have considered Jesus’ mission:  “to reach those far away from God – the unreligious, to bring hope to those struggling in life and to challenge all people to accept God’s rulership.” In anyone’s books, this was and still is today a daring mission. As we reflect on Jesus’ life, we see a clear method he used towards achieving this goal; friendship and friendliness.

Jesus did not expect unreligious people to come to him, he went to them.  He plainly looked at home in their company, they clearly enjoyed his.  His religious opponents sought to develop a false reputation of him being a “party animal”, accusing Jesus of being a drunkard and a glutton.   He was neither; he just spent so much time in hanging out with “outsiders” that it affected his reputation.  Jesus was a friend of “sinners” – an old word for outsiders, or unbelievers.

Jesus built genuine friendships with people.  He enjoyed their company.   He loved to spend time with them. Jesus not only spent time with “outsiders” – he involved his disciples in this element of his “modus operandi.” Jesus sought to build this value into his followers, namely; “by walking close to him in their broader-society they could function without a fear of being contaminated by the world; and open Christian community activities are vital in the refreshing of faith for life and contact into one’s broader-societies.”  To reach our world, Jesus entered our world.  To reach the lost, Jesus entered the homes and world of the lost. To have friends, one must be friendly.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Like Jesus, faith-friends aren’t our only friends

Consider (respond)

• Who are my friends inside and outside of the family of God?