Proponents of homosexuality would like to have had Jesus on their team, and over the centuries they have tried to recruit him. They are the only ones, apparently, to realize that Jesus really wasn't romantically involved with women, so they like to draw attention to his relationship with the boys.

Of course, they like to mention that he wasn't married, even in his 30's. They like to point out that the Bible speaks of a "disciple whom Jesus loved" who was "leaning on Jesus' bosom" at the Last Supper (John 13:23). They remind us that the Twelve were guys, and if Jesus was straight there would have been women included. Does this behavior indicate homosexual tendencies?

Before suggesting that Jesus was a homosexual, the evidence must be considered. First, there was no law that said a person had to be married, and this is just another way in which Jesus broke with the traditions of the time. He had a mission on earth, and marriage was not part of that.

The culture of the time also saw a division of men and women on many social occasions. Men of those times normally ate together without the company of women. They did not have the same sensibilities we have today about personal space and male friends even kissed on the lips. But none of this implies that such contact was sexual in nature anymore than a handshake would imply homosexuality today. There were strong biblical laws in place which prohibited homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22), and the people of Jesus' day would not have given them the liberal interpretation that we see today.

And what of the exclusive boys club of the Twelve? Again, this did not have sexual significance, but rather important spiritual significance. The twelve apostles represented the twelve tribes of Israel. This tribal heritage came from the 12 sons of Jacob, so for the analogy to be unmistakable, the leaders of God's new Kingdom had to be men.