Who’s in your Five?” is the slogan of a cell phone company which offers its customers unlimited calls to their five favorite people. The advertisements for this plan remind us that we are not vitally important to everyone and that everyone is not equally important to us.
We all must choose whom to let into our inner circle. If you could call five people for free, who would they be? We all have pretty much the same number of essential people. It doesn’t matter how large your life becomes. You may be the pastor of a large church, the CEO of a multinational company, even the president or prime minister of an entire nation. Still, you truly matter to only a select group of people. Your death may bring sadness to your fans and followers, but it will be a severe shock only to those who are in your “Fave Five.”
Jesus came to save the world, but even He invested His life in a small circle of friends. Jesus chose 12 men to be His disciples, and of these He was especially close to just three. Peter, James, and John accompanied Jesus during His most important moments. They went with Him to the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36) and most of the way into Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46).
If the Son of God poured His life into His select group of friends, we should ask how we are caring for our core group. The measure of a life is not riches or respect, power or beauty. It’s not even about accomplishing great things for God. No matter your station or status in life, the ultimate test is the same: Who’s in your Five, and are they better off for being there?
More:
Timothy, please come as soon as you can. . . . Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come. . . . Do your best to get here before winter (2 Timothy 4:9,11,21).
Next:
Who’s your Fave Five? What can you do to let them know how much they mean to you? How can you help them grow in their faith in Jesus?
Michael on October 23, 2010 at 7:35 am
Mike, That last line really made me stop and think. Are my friends better off for having known me? I dont make friends very easily, but the ones, ( Or rather the “one” I do have) is close to me and I try to be there for him when he needs me. I think I will ask him your question and see what he says. As for me, My life is better for knowing him. In closing, I know I can do better to be a blessing to those around me, Friend or not.
zephry on October 23, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Just wanted to point out that the true measure of life is not even about how much we have invested into our Five. True measure of life is simply what Christ has done for us, not what we accomplish or possess. We can take no credit for anything except to humbly give all glory to God because it’s what the Holy Spirit enables us to be and do.
Also the relationship between Jesus and his disciples were based on the traditional Jewish rabbi-disciple structure in which the disciples literally lived together with their teacher. That doesn’t translate to Western culture very well. I find it problematic to exegete those verses into saying that we should focus on investing our life into a few important people in our lives. We are called to love and make disciples but I have not read any passage in the Bible that asks us consider the importance of our Five.
Michael on October 23, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Zephry, I think your missing Mikes point. What you say is true, But he is not saying we you just focus on the “5” But we should take care of those closest to us first, as these are the people that motivate us on to better things, encourage us when were down. and pray for us when we need prayer. Jesus had ones he loved more than the rest, as we all do.
daisymarygoldr on October 23, 2010 at 9:57 pm
While growing up, I was greatly challenged by the small inner circle concept. It must be noted that there was nothing special or superior about the chosen three.
“God does not show favoritism but accepts those who fear Him and do what is right” (Acts 10: 34-35).
People have favorites but Jesus has intimates. Mutual love and trust leads to intimacy! Intimacy results in obedience and submission to God’s will in our lives.
In response to the loving call of the Messiah Peter, James and John readily left their nets—and faithfully followed Jesus even to the point of death.
Jesus loved them more because they loved Him more! As part of the core group, they had the privilege to witness the transfiguration, the resurrection of Jairus’ dead daughter and the grief of God at Gethsemane.
Later on John wrote “We beheld His glory,” and Peter testifies “We were eyewitnesses of His majesty”.
Similarly when we pursue a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ:
– We get a glimpse of the mysteries of the Kingdom
– We receive a revelation of God’s divine purposes
– We develop a divine perspective of all things
– We desire to do His will alone and
– We silently share in His sufferings
Are we willing to be included in the inner circle of Jesus?
lizet on February 3, 2011 at 11:09 pm
I can say that I have experienced God’s ways of making me aware of His purposes, that He wants me to reach out for Him and to do his will.
I am willing & always ready for His glory, but as I am trying my best to fulfill it, pain is blocking the way.
Recently I found out that the “fave five” whom I called my trusted & true friends left me because of my single mistake. I thought they are the ones that can accept me at my worst. I realized they are not better off for being my fave five. I felt betrayed, exerting my time, effort & love I gave to them.
But praise God it happened. I learned that friendship is not about how much you gave, but still being a friend who doesn’t expect something in return.
Friendship is selfless, just like Jesus who sacrificed His treasured life for us. I will not give up serving Him even if hurt & dismay is along the way.
Pepaqua on October 24, 2010 at 7:10 pm
I think that is a really good question, daisymary, is Jesus in our “inner circle”? Are we focusing on an intimate relationship with Him more or less than than our relationships with friends & family?
zephry on October 24, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Hi Michael! Thank you for your comment. My initial knee-jerk reaction came from Mike’s last statement regarding what our ultimate test is.
We have less problem loving and nurturing our Five than loving and nurturing those outside our Five. This can’t be our ultimate test. Whether we can impact those outside our Five, now that’s a test. 🙂
I fully agree with Mike that we should take care of our Five, but I just want to emphasize we need to invest even more into relationships outside of our Five.