Amazing Trust
It amazes me when I think of how much Jesus trusted his disciples…yes all 12 of them. Think about it, he even depended on Judas to take care of the money bag. However, there were specific disciples that he expected more from than the others. It was Peter, James and John who were asked to go up to the mount during the transfiguration, and the same three who were asked to go pray with him during his time in Gethsemane.
However, we see even greater reliance when John is asked to care for the master’s mother. He was even entrusted with a vision that became the last book in the bible (the Revelation). Jesus understood that trust had different levels, and he made sure that he cultivated that confident dependency in each relationship.
The Investment
How did Jesus know which friendships would give him the best return? He took the time to invest a little bit of himself into each and every one of them. In doing so, he was able to feel and read the heart of his companions. The closer they were, the more he trusted. The more he trusted, the more he invested or poured himself into these individuals.
Risk & and Missed Opportunities
Jesus knew the risks of trusting and experienced deep hurt by the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter, and the abandonment of all of his most trusted friends. Yet because he loved them so much, he forgave them, and extended his trust once again after his resurrection.
Sometimes we miss the opportunity of building deep bonds because of past hurts. Some of us don’t believe that anyone can be trusted. Reality is that there are a lot of folks out there with good and Godly hearts with the potential of becoming cherished friends, if given the chance.
Level Determination
It took Jesus 3 ½ years of “constant” companionship to determine the level of trust that should be imparted to each of them. Although we don’t have the luxury of living with any of our friends (unless of course we marry one of them or become roomies), we do have the opportunity of forging new friendships and fostering existing ones.
Let’s face it…relationship without the trust factor doesn’t work. It only creates a false sense of security that ensures isolation. The importance of friendship is seen throughout the word. We need one another. We were created with the inclination to love.
What a wonderful thing relationship is and can be. Let’s set our hearts on building trust, the factor for growing great friendships.
It amazes me when I think of how much Jesus trusted his disciples…yes all 12 of them. Think about it, he even depended on Judas to take care of the money bag. However, there were specific disciples that he expected more from than the others. It was Peter, James and John who were asked to go up to the mount during the transfiguration, and the same three who were asked to go pray with him during his time in Gethsemane.
However, we see even greater reliance when John is asked to care for the master’s mother. He was even entrusted with a vision that became the last book in the bible (the Revelation). Jesus understood that trust had different levels, and he made sure that he cultivated that confident dependency in each relationship.
The Investment
How did Jesus know which friendships would give him the best return? He took the time to invest a little bit of himself into each and every one of them. In doing so, he was able to feel and read the heart of his companions. The closer they were, the more he trusted. The more he trusted, the more he invested or poured himself into these individuals.
Risk & and Missed Opportunities
Jesus knew the risks of trusting and experienced deep hurt by the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter, and the abandonment of all of his most trusted friends. Yet because he loved them so much, he forgave them, and extended his trust once again after his resurrection.
Sometimes we miss the opportunity of building deep bonds because of past hurts. Some of us don’t believe that anyone can be trusted. Reality is that there are a lot of folks out there with good and Godly hearts with the potential of becoming cherished friends, if given the chance.
Level Determination
It took Jesus 3 ½ years of “constant” companionship to determine the level of trust that should be imparted to each of them. Although we don’t have the luxury of living with any of our friends (unless of course we marry one of them or become roomies), we do have the opportunity of forging new friendships and fostering existing ones.
Let’s face it…relationship without the trust factor doesn’t work. It only creates a false sense of security that ensures isolation. The importance of friendship is seen throughout the word. We need one another. We were created with the inclination to love.
What a wonderful thing relationship is and can be. Let’s set our hearts on building trust, the factor for growing great friendships.
