I met my wife through a mutual acquaintance. I probably wouldn't have had the courage to approach her on my own. But a person we both knew made it easy by introducing us to each other. As a result, our first date was almost prearranged. By the time I asked her out, I already knew she would accept because our common friend had served as a go-between.

Christ fulfills that kind of role between sinners and a holy God. Through His redemptive work on the cross, Jesus has removed the barrier that would have kept us from ever being introduced to or accepted by the Father (Heb. 7:25-27). Christ is the One who shows us that any friend of His is also a friend of the Father.

Jesus assured His disciples of this comforting truth when He told them He would soon be leaving them. He wanted them, and all who believe in Him, to know that because of their relationship to Him they could in His name go to God with their requests (Jn. 16:23-24). Our Lord also made it clear that any request that is consistent with His character will be answered by the Father because He loves all who love the Son (vv.26-27).

Because Jesus is our Friend, we can also be a friend of God.  — Mart De Haan