Java Edition Multiplayer

Please make it easier to play with friends on Java. I love Minecraft so much and I've been playing it for years now, but it's so unnecessary that I need to look up a tutorial to play Minecraft Java Edition with my friends. I have to download and edit a bunch of stuff that confuses me just to make a server so I can play with my friends. In Bedrock, I can just simply make a world and they can join. It's as simple as it should be. The "Multiplayer" option should be switched to "Servers" and there should be an actual multiplayer option where they can just join like in Bedrock. I'm not looking to create an entire server just so I can play with one or two of my friends. I like the idea of having a single player option where no one can join with it too. I'm just sick and tired of having to create a bunch of servers so I can play with my buddies. Please, leave all the complicated server creating to the people who actually have big plans with it. I just want to play with a couple of my pals. Thanks.