There were seventy; then there were twelve and three and one. How close would you come? Jesus had them at different levels. When he needed the crowd effect, then the seventy came in handy. Then there was the everyday mission, and the twelve was just enough. Finally, He had His three buddies when the need for heart matters arose. With them, He was comfortable with vulnerability. With them, He could bare all His heart's burden. It was them that He begged to pray for Him. It was them that saw Him and a glimpse of His glory. It was them that He went into the garden with.
But He had the one He loved the child enough to put his head on his chest and man enough to be responsible for caring for Jesus' mother. It was John that went with him all the way to the cross. It was John who stayed close through thick and thin.
It didn't mean that the others were bad or not good enough; it just meant that relationships have levels. How close you are willing to go will determine what secrets you are kept in charge of. What value you place on your relationships will determine what depths you reach.
How loyal are you, or are you willing to be? What kind of friend are you, and what kind of friend do you value?
It sits true to our lives today; relationships are on various levels, and the demands placed on them determine how valued this affinity is or could be.
