This post is written by Leslie Hudson as a companion for Unit 22, Session 5 of The Gospel Project for Adults, Volume 8: From Wonder to Rejection (Summer 2023).

I have a good friend named Kip. We met him when our son was an infant, and he’s been an integral member of our family for the past thirteen years. He lives nearby, and he’s always ready to join us for a walk or an adventure.

Kip’s become a running partner to me and my husband. He wasn’t much of a runner before he moved to our road, but he’s become quite the endurance athlete. He’ll join either of us on a run on the road or through the trails, and he never questions how long we’ll be gone. He’s just happy to have someone to run with.

He also helps watch over us. Whenever we’re out of town, Kip keeps an eye on our house. He helps with our chickens and cat whenever we’re not around, and we trust his judgment when it comes to overseeing people who should—or shouldn’t!—be in our our yard.

Over the years, Kip has also become our kids’ faithful companion. Whenever they go hiking in the woods behind our house, he’s excited to join them. And if they catch a good night for camping, Kip loves to camp right next to them. We trust that he’ll take care of them, listen for danger, and be a voice of reason if needed.

Kip and I have become such good friends that he can sense my mood. Just the other night, I walked out on my front porch, suspicious of some loud sounds. Kip was nearby, and he picked up on my anxiety immediately. He can be happy, playful, or cautious as the situation requires.

Bravery is one of Kip’s strongest attributes. He’s not afraid of anything, but he’s also able to tell quickly if something is worth a bother. Just recently, we were walking down our road when a friend and his dog came by. Though he didn’t know the man or his dog, he knew there was no threat. Kip was polite and friendly to both, trusting that because we were comfortable around them, he could be too.

Kip’s getting old, though, and it’s starting to show. He sleeps more than most; that’s okay. He’s getting gray hair, but it looks like maturity. He is gentler in his old age, and we love him even more as he shows affection and kindness to us and our kids.

You’ve probably figured it out already, but Kip isn’t a human; he’s our dog. We got him when he was a 12-week old puppy, and he’s lived in a dog house on our front porch ever since. Every word in the above story is true, and if you doubt that I consider him a true friend, a protector for my house, and a companion to my kids, you’d be wrong.

I can talk about Kip like a friend because I know him, I trust him, and I love him. He’s a dog, but he’s also always been there for me. In this same vein, I find myself a little more compassionate to the Jews in this week’s story: they cannot believe that Jesus is man and God. That seems crazy to them. Preposterous. They can’t believe His story, so they label Him a liar, a blasphemer, and a rabble-rouser. They want Him gone, forever.

But for those who know Him and love Him, there is no question that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, both shown clearly in His words, His actions, His attitude, how He spent His time, His gentleness, and His authority. His miracles weren’t parlor tricks; they were proof. He didn’t just seem to be wise; He is wisdom embodied.

But only those who truly knew Him, trusted Him, and loved Him got to see this side of Him. Just as I see Kip through different eyes because of my time with Him, His sheep know His voice and follow Him.  

Leslie Hudson loves her mornings of silence, coffee, and Jesus—not in that order. She lives with her husband and kids in White Bluff, Tennessee, where they raise blueberries, figs, and bees. She loves to spend her free time reading, writing, journaling, and helping others know and follow Jesus.