Jesus, The Best Friend

by J.C. Ryle

JESUS,THE BEST FRIEND! J.C. Ryle, 1878  "Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my FRIEND!" Song of Solomon 5:16 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a FRIEND of tax collectors and sinners!" Luke 7:34 A friend is one of the greatest blessings on earth. Tell me not of moneylove is better than gold; sympathy is better than lands. He is the poor manwho has no friends! This world is full of sorrowbecause it is full of sin. It is a dark place. It is a lonely place. It is a disappointing place. The brightest sunbeam in it, is a friend. Friendship halves our troublesand doubles our joys! A real friend is scarce and rare. There are many who will eat, and drink, and laugh with us in the sunshine of prosperity. There are few who will stand by us in the days of darknessfew who will love us when we are sick, helpless, and poorfew, above all, who will care for our souls! Does any reader of this paper want a real friend? I write to recommend one to your notice this day. I know of One "who sticks closer than a brother!" (Proverbs 18:24) I know of One who is ready to be your friend for time and for eternity, if you will receive Him. Hear me, while I try to tell you something about Him. The friend I want you to know is Jesus Christ. Happy is that family in which Christ has the foremost place! Happy is that person whose chief friend is Christ!

29 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2020

About the author

(John Charles Ryle) Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk, where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known and still-in-print books, often addressing issues of contemporary relevance for the Church from a biblical standpoint. He completed his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels while at Stradbroke, with his work on the Gospel of John (1869). His third marriage, to Henrietta Amelia Clowes in 1861, lasted until her death in 1889.