In the New Testament, the Most High God’s capacity for friendship is clearly seen in the Incarnation. Jesus’ relationship with Lazarus and his family is a wonderful demonstration of the friendship of God. He ate with this family. (Luke 10:38-42) Jesus enjoyed spending time with them. His friendship with Lazarus is encapsulated in the term philos. Philos is the same term for friendship which James used to describe God’s relationship with Abraham. Look at Jesus’ description of Lazarus:
"Our friend (philos) Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." (John 11:11b)
Those who witnessed Jesus’ affection toward Lazarus described it as a deep affectionate love, a love which showed itself through Jesus’ emotions.
Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved (phileo) him!" (John 11:35-36)
The inspired writer describes this relationship as a manifestation of agape:
Now Jesus loved (agaped) Martha and her sister and Lazarus. (John 11:5)
This loving friendship is also seen in Jesus’ relationship with others. One of the most wonderful truths about the Messiah was first delivered as an accusation. His enemies said that He was a ‘friend of sinners.’ Well, He was. And He is. And He will be.
"The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend (philos) of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." (Matthew 11:19)
The friendship of God is an amazing thing. God agapes His friends. His agape notices and recognizes His friends; His agape responds to their friendship. God’s agape for us is affectionately devoted. God’s love can be sincerely expressed within the relationship we know as friendship. The Lord loves like a friend loves. He receives and responds to friendship. He is our Friend and loves us as a friend does. He is our devoted Friend.
Some of us feel unable to reciprocate His love. Perhaps we were on fire for Him at one time and now find ourselves to have nothing but ashes. How, then, can we qualify as His friends?
Remember, Lazarus was in no condition to reciprocate Jesus’ devoted affection. Lazarus was tomb-temperature, unresponsive, decaying and stinking. You may feel that describes your spiritual life. The death of condemnation comes and kills your hope. Look at Lazarus; Jesus came and raised him up. That’s what Jesus’ friendship can do for you.
The degree of agape Messiah has for us can be seen in the description Jesus gave of the uttermost limits of love: “Greater love (agape) has no man than this, than that he should give up his life for his friends (philon).” (John 15:13)
If this is so (and Jesus said it was), then what degree of agape has been demonstrated when Messiah gave up His life for His enemies?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, [Messiah] died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Considering these verses together, we see that Jesus demonstrated the greatest love for those who were His enemies—those He considered to be potential friends, those He desired to be His friends. Those who were enemies were still precious to God!
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