Jesus is the best friend any sinner could wish for.
During his earthly ministry, he loved, cared and extended the hand of friendship towards all manner of sinners.
His love reached out to the unreachable. Tax collectors, the sexually immoral, thieves, liars, murderers and unbelievers.
His love touched the untouchable. He touched lepers and made them whole. He healed and set free people who were possessed by demons.
We have friends who may visit us once a day, maybe once a week, or perhaps they are one of those friends who write to us once a year. But with our Lord, our names are written on His heart and graven on His hands. He never forgets us. He is thinking about us all of the time.
There are many people in our lives who we hold in great esteem and consider to be our closest friends. And rightly so. They have been faithful to us through life's ups and downs, through triumph and tragedy, for better or worse, and for richer and poorer. Yet they are human beings just like the rest of us, with the same imperfections and vulnerabilities.
One of my closest friends, who had been extremely loyal and supportive towards me for over 30 years, suddenly and unexpectedly ceased contacting me around two years ago. Messages have gone unanswered and I have been treated as if I no longer exist. There are people I know who have already written messages to this friend completely severing contact and any offer of support. Although I have exchanged very stern words, I will never stop extending the hand of friendship to this person.
I have let Jesus down many times. I have sinned greviously, I have forsaken him just like the disciple Peter, I have walked away many times. And every occasion I have come back, the Lord has always welcomed me - with love, forgiveness and mercy. As a mere human being, I do not have the vocabulary to describe how the Lord has always welcomed me, so graciously, unconditionally and completely. It is often very difficult to put into words how God rejoices over us, remembers our sins no more, and so warmly and tenderly embraces us.
My friend may get in contact one day - and if that day comes, they will be welcomed with open arms. Whatever sin, however heinous, will be forgiven, and the relationship restored.
Jesus is the best of friends. He loves us when we are unloveable. He feels for us when we are hurting. He seeks for us when we are lost. He saves us when we are unsalvageable.
There is no better friend than Him.