Mar292026
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Like your Friends.

What are some of the perks that God enjoys? What are the advantages of being divine? The first thing that comes to mind is death. God can never die. God lives forever. I also note that God does not suffer. Every day in eternity, God basks in glory and joy. He experiences no pain, remorse, guilt, or regret. Another advantage God has is that he is big and powerful, at the top of the food chain. Those are impressive perks, so here is my question. Why would the Son of God ever give up those privileges? Why would he allow himself to be beaten, crucified, and die? The answer: He likes his friends.

A young man was making six digests. In addition to his position at work, he had a beautiful house with a spectacular view of the Denver Rockies. One day, while he was standing on the mountain of success, with all the money he ever needed, with all the knowledge to continue his great career, he called me on the phone. Why would this successful man from Denver call me in Boston? At the time, I was the vocation director. When he told me he wanted to be a priest, I said to him, “Are you crazy.” No, I didn’t say that. That year, he entered the seminary. After he quit his job, sold his house, and moved into a new room smaller than his walk-in closet, with a small window overlooking the parking lot, one had to question why. What kind of person does this sort of thing? Answer: he likes his friend. There is nothing greater than making a sacrifice for your friend.

So when you look at Jesus’ death on the cross, or hear about the suffering and death of the Lord, I want you to be thinking, Jesus likes his friends.

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