Article November 8, 1913 Issue

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[The Universalist Leader]

One of the facts which come to the surface in the gospel is the incapacity of most of the disciples for true friendship with Jesus. They did not share his ideals. They could not comprehend his spirit. They blundered whenever they tried to tell him what to do. They followed him, but they never developed into real comrades, for they never really shared in his divine hope. He called them friends. He was ready to make them his equals. But the response was not in them. There were moments when John or Peter may have had a glimpse of his soul, but they never lived in the spiritual world where he dwelt constantly. To be friends of Jesus requires such high and unselfish purposes, such sacred and holy experiences, such splendid and prophetic faith, that few of us ever win that prize. But such friendship is the ideal. It is nobler than belief in him. It is more satisfying than any form of salvation by his power. Just to walk with him, know him, understand him, feel the joy of his presence, and carry with us every day the conviction that we are worthy to go through life with him, that is the highest and most gracious form of that experience, which is religion and life at its best. The friends of Christ must be worthy to be his friends. They must be like him.

[The Christian Work and Evangelist]

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