I often say that one of Jesus’ greatest and most overlooked miracles was making and keeping 12 (plus) friends as an adult. Friendship is one of the most profound and cherished relationships we experience as humans, yet we often underestimate how challenging building and maintaining meaningful friendships can be. When asked how folks can support Emmaus if they are not close enough to volunteer, I tell them that the best thing that they can do is to be friends with people with disabilities in their community.

In the book of John, Jesus says to his disciples: ”I no longer call you servants… Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15, NIV). This declaration is extraordinary.

In a world where relationships between teachers and students are often based on hierarchy and distance, Jesus breaks down the walls that separate them and calls His followers friends. The term “friend” in Jesus’ time was more than just a casual acquaintance. It signifies a relationship that transcends and becomes a bond of mutual respect, deep connection, support, trust, and shared purpose.

At its core, being a friend means living in a mutual relationship based on love, respect, and vulnerability, and at times, this will require advocating for one another. Faithful friends care about each other’s well-being, growth, and struggles. They stand with one another when things get tough and fight for what is best for each other. Jesus’ call to friendship includes a mandate to love and support one another deeply, which naturally extends into advocating for each other’s needs.

In John 15:13, Jesus says: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” As his followers, we are called to do this for each other, but this does not mean literal death. It can manifest in laying down our time, resources, social capital, privilege, and energy to support our friends, especially when they face difficulty or injustice. It means speaking up for those who are oppressed, helping those in need, and being a source of comfort in times of despair. Being a friend like Jesus also involves journeying with marginalized people and providing a safe space for those who feel overlooked or abandoned.

Jesus’ call to be his friend is an invitation to reflect his love in the world. By advocating for one another as friends in His sense of the word, we show the world a glimpse of the love Jesus has for us. Our friendships become a testimony of God’s love—love that is sacrificial, kind, and full of grace. We become the hands and feet of Jesus on earth, demonstrating His love through acts of service, advocacy, and support.

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