While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
—Romans 5:8
Jesus was called a friend of sinners (Mt 11:19). He proved that to be fact: he said, “The greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends” (Jn 15:13 TLB).
And he did just that—laid down his life for us, his friends. “He humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8).
The cross! The final blow. The end. When the last nail was set, his enemies thought they’d done him in.
But they were wrong! This was his doing, not theirs. He chose to live—and die—for his friends. For me. For you.
It was his way of saying, “Here’s the distance I’m willing to go to be your friend.”
Jesus said, “I’ll be with you always.”
You don’t have a better friend than that.