Friendship with the Friend of Sinners

"Even before sin and sorrow entered the world, God said that it is not good for people to be alone. Perhaps more than ever in our lifetimes, the past few years have brought this 'not-goodness' into the forefront with things like pandemic-induced social distancing, polarization, and dismantling of communities. But even in times such as these, Scripture holds out to us the promise of a friend who is born even for adversity, and who at all times sticks closer to us even than a brother (Prov. 17:17; 18:24). That friend, Jesus tells us, is none other than himself. In this hopeful book, Jared does a wonderful job helping us access our Lord in this most intimate way."

—Scott Sauls, senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church and author of Jesus Outside the Lines and Beautiful People Don't Just Happen

"The odds are good that you make less of friendship than you ought. But you were made for it—and not just friendship with others but friendship with Christ himself. I so respect the way Jared C. Wilson unpacks the truth of what the friendship of Jesus is like and how it provides something for our souls we won't find anywhere but with him. Read this one twice."

—Russ Ramsey, pastor and author of Rembrandt Is in the Wind

"Jared's writing always leaves me edified, refreshed, and more sure of the joy and hope I have in Jesus--Friendship with the Friend of Sinners is no exception. In a culture where true friendship is distorted, we need a better understanding of what it means to have a friend in the living Christ. This book will encourage the lonely and the lowly, pointing them to the best friend they can ever have."

—Emily Jensen, coauthor of Risen Motherhood and author of He Is Strong

"If you've ever felt alone, isolated, ignored, or 'too much' for the people in your life, take heart. If you are struggling or floundering with relationships, be encouraged. Jared C. Wilson has written a book for you—for each of us—reminding us of the blessing and power we find in friendship with the Savior. This book methodically chipped away at my instinctively hard heart, exposing a tenderness that moved me to both tears and laughter as I reveled in the goodness we have in our dear friend, Jesus. Read this book, and then give it to everyone you know who needs a friend."

—Steve Bezner, senior pastor of Houston Northwest Church

"I've been waiting for this book by Jared C. Wilson for years. He is the best author I know to write it, and I trust many will soon see why. The truth that God really does love us and we can know him is, I believe, the secret to the universe (and all of our hopes and worries). Exploring how we can know God through Jesus as friend is the remarkable key that unlocks the door to that secret—but sadly it is often overlooked or forgotten. Never fear; Jared has come with this book and, as a friend to you and me, hands us the key and invites us to enter. Come, one and all, and taste and see why Jesus is good and the best of friends."

—Jason G. Duesing, provost of Midwestern Seminary and author of Mere Hope

"Friendship is tricky to define in a digital age--but what about friendship with Jesus? How do we define a relationship with a person we cannot see? Jared C. Wilson has given us a beautiful picture of friendship with our Savior, one that is neither too familiar nor too far off. Christ's friendship with us is vast and comforting, and this book is a balm to anyone longing to see friendship in its truest form."

—Courtney Reissig, author of Teach Me to Feel