Ready to go deeper? As we consider our favorite qualities of our friends — people we want to be around and share our lives with — it's easy to see how Jesus' character makes him "best-friend material." Let's notice a few together.

Jesus is our compassionate friend. He sees our weaknesses and understands when we're hurting. Jesus once looked at a crowd of people and saw they were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matt. 9:36). He wasn't detached from their struggles — he deeply felt their pain and lack of direction. Like a friend moved by our tears, Jesus was "moved with compassion" for a leprous man who begged for healing (Mark 1:41) and the widow who lost her son (Luke 7:13). It wasn't just a feeling, but it spurred him to action, to heal, to comfort, and to restore. And he understands our weakness, since he (sinlessly) walked in our shoes, experiencing our temptations, anxieties, and frailties of daily life. He doesn't condemn our struggles but lovingly meets us where we are with empathy and grace (John 8:1-11).

He's our committed friend. He's there for us, reliable, and dependable. He left the glory of heaven and entered our world, not for his own benefit, but to be with us and ultimately to save us (John 6:38). He lived his whole life with the cross in mind, setting "his face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51), knowing the suffering that he'd face. His commitment to his mission and to us was unwavering, even coming at immense personal cost. He finished the job, announcing with his final words from the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30), signifying his complete commitment to the Father’s task. He didn't give up or turn back — he saw his commitment through to the very end. And he did it all with joy, knowing how desperately we needed a Savior to take care of our sin problem (Heb. 12:2).

He's our counseling friend. He teaches us how to live. Like a good friend who offers wise counsel and valuable insights you might not see yourself, through his words and actions, Jesus shows us how to live a life that’s pleasing to God. His teachings on love, forgiveness, humility, and seeking God's kingdom offer a roadmap for navigating life's complexities (Matt. 5-7; Luke 6). Before his death, he promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Helper or Counselor (John 14:26), who would guide believers into all truth. The Spirit gave us the living words of Christ (2 Cor. 2:11-16) and he remains present in believers, producing the fruit of Jesus’ character within us (Gal. 5:22-25). So Jesus offers a constant source of wisdom and direction in our lives. And he calls us to a better way of life. And like a good friend doesn't always agree with you — challenging you when necessary to help you grow — Jesus offers wisdom that's not always easy to hear. He often challenges our worldly perspectives and calls us to a higher standard of living, one marked by love, justice, and faith. He wants what’s best for us, gently pushing us beyond our comfort zones towards spiritual growth.

Basically, Jesus embodies the best qualities of a perfect friend because he offers the deepest compassion for our struggles, an unwavering commitment to our well-being and salvation, and wise counsel that guides us towards truth and life. He's the friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).