Though the Bible does not specifically mention it, I would imagine that Jesus like any other child had friends. Jesus must have hung out with his friends as any child loves to do so. Jesus must also have played with his siblings. Jesus probably fought and argued with both his sibling and childhood friends. Jesus experienced the dynamics that we all encounter as being part of a family. Jesus also experienced the same dynamics that are involved with making and maintaining friendships during childhood.
During Jesus’ adult life, friends were also very important to him. Jesus had a special bond with the twelve disciples that he asked to come and follow him. He trusted them. He shared meals with them. He traveled with them. He prayed with them. He taught them how to pray. He mentored them.
Within the twelve disciples, he had an even stronger bond with Peter, James and John. He chose the three of them to accompany him to the top of Mount Tabor. Before their very eyes he was transfigured. His clothes became radiant and intensely white. His face became as bright as the sun. Moses and Elijah were seen talking with Jesus. A voice from a cloud spoke and told them this is my much loved son. Listen to Him! Jesus was revealing to them who He was and who God was. Jesus sensed that these three were ready for this experience. Jesus wanted to show his friends who he was.
We too are to have friends. We are to trust them. We are to reveal to them who we are. A true friend is someone who we share our story with. Friendships are never one way relationships. There are times to share and there are also times to listen. We might have a group of friends like the twelve disciples that we enjoy spending time with. However, there will be an inner group of friends that we are most comfortable with. We share with them our innermost secrets, thoughts, emotions and dreams. Like the Mount Tabor experience, we show them who we really are.
Go Further:
Healing the Divide: Recovering Christianity’s Mystic Roots by Amos Smith
Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time: The Historical Jesus and the Heart of Contemporary Faith by Marcus Borg
Reading the Bible Again For the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously But Not Literally by Marcus Borg
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Thank you, Rich, for this “rich” reflection on Jesus’ life and his friendships. Nowadays we even have our online friends that we’ve never met who nonetheless support us and are kind to us. You are that for me. I thank you.
Kim – thanks for the kind words! I too consider you a good friend.