Could you and Jesus be friends?

I’ve got this crazy idea that right thinking, average people, would be friends with Jesus if they really knew him. They could even be a follower or a disciple of him and his teaching. I mean, if we strip away all the “religion” and all the craziness that is associate with man’s handling of the subject matter and look, only, at the words and teaching that are associated with Jesus, and ask ourselves – could you and Jesus be friends? – I wonder what the answer would be.

For example, it is recorded in the Bible at Matthew 5:43-48, the Jesus taught the follow:

Love Your Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers,  what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

So, considering the above, especially the quotation, the question remains – could you and Jesus be friends?

Yeah, probably I tend to agree with what he said. He also seems to have great respect for everyone, regardless of what they were. I probably wouldn't be a disciple though

Yea probably. Aside from his disgusting and vile preaches about hell, he generally acted like a good guy. I bet he'd be fun to hang around with.

A guy who can turn water into wine? Who wouldn't want to be his friend?

Jesus, the man, was a great guy. Regardless of my lack of faith, I still have good morals, and so did he.

Come, let us reason together. What preaching about hell are you referring to, exactly? Maybe you can give a quotation.

Well I'm Christian so I'd hope so.

It's hard to be friends with someone you have never met in person.

Though instead of "be friends with", I think you mean "follow his way of life." Well I'm not sure about that. Much of what Jesus advocates is what I already do regardless of his influence so I wouldn't say I'm following his way of life, but rather, we tend to follow a similar way of life. And for things he advocates that I may not necessarily agree with, I would not feel any pressure to follow it just because he said so. So no, I will follow my own way of life and if Jesus agrees, then great. If he disagrees, then...well, I guess we'll just agree to disagree.

Cool, but with regard to the bold, what has Jesus 'said' that you might not agree with? Part of my thinking is that everything Jesus says, every person can relate to. Even you have said that you and Jesus already have some the ideas or practices. So how are your 'good' and 'acceptable' thoughts or ways different than Jesus' which might not be as good or accepable. Do you have any examples of things that Jesus said, which you don't agree with?

I wouldn't disagree with most of his morals, just his punishment for such immorality.

Revelation 2:22-23

22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their[a] deeds.
23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.