Jesus: Boss or Friend?

I was listening to Sanctus Real in my car the other day and the song ‘Til I Got to Know You came on. As I listened I pondered the different ways in which people view their relationship with Jesus—and I’m thinking here of just those people who call themselves Christians and do have a relationship with Him.

Some people have a relationship with Jesus that is like that of a boss and an employee. They see Jesus—the boss—as the person who tells them what they have to do to earn their pay. Some are really good employees and do exactly as they are told, maybe even go above and beyond what is required. Others do the bare minimum to get by and not lose their job and the boss/employee relationship.

But think about your own relationship with your boss. Do you really want to spend time with the boss? Do you socialize with the boss outside of work? Do you share with the boss your deepest concerns and greatest desires? Most people don’t (though I know there are exceptions).

Other people have a relationship with Jesus that is that of a close friend. They see Jesus—their dear friend—as someone they want to spend time with. The do nice things for Him not because they must to maintain the friendship, but because they want to. They tell Jesus their deepest concerns and greatest desires just as they would their closest earthly friend.

Think about your relationship with your best friend. When you have a problems, isn’t your best friend the person you turn to for advice? When you experience a great victory, isn’t your best friend the first person you want to share it with?

Sometimes, if you are very fortunate, you might have a boss who after a time becomes a friend. If you have a boss who is trustworthy and loving, who truly cares for your welfare, a closer relationship may develop and a friendship be born.

So how is your relationship with Jesus? Are you treating Him as your boss or your friend? If in your heart and mind He is still just your boss, I urge you to discover how truly trustworthy and loving He is. He cares deeply for your welfare and desires to be your friend. Ponder these words that Jesus spoke to His disciples who had made the transition from being His servants to being His dearest friends:

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:13-17 (NIV).

When you actually get to know Jesus, which requires spending time in His Word and in prayer, then you will understand that He wants to be your friend. He wants to be the best friend you have ever had.