“Friend or Foe” by Melissa Dilley

Today’s Passage – Leviticus 8 – 10

(Second Miers also read – John 1 – 2; Proverbs 5; Psalms 21 – 25)

Scripture Memorization for February – Psalm 100

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Joshua 1:8

“And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” – (Matthew 26:50)

I’ve heard many sermons from this Scripture, mostly pertaining to why Jesus called Judas, “Friend” in this verse, and earlier called Peter, “Satan” (Matthew 16:23). The application of Peter hindering God’s will, and Judas propelling it, is understandable. However, Jesus used the word “friend” specifically. Why didn’t he call him “assistant”, or “helper”, or “facilitator”? I believe Jesus wanted Judas to know that He still loved him as a friend. Jesus knew what Judas was doing but still loved him, and was willing to forgive him and let him know that everything could be OK.

Being a friend is a choice. It means that despite how you are treated, you still love and forgive. Jesus was being betrayed to His death – not exactly a perfect relationship. But Jesus was showing us what a friend ought to be. “Love covereth all sins” (Proverbs 10:12) A friend is a friend in any circumstance. In fact the harder the situation – the more love expressed – the truer the friend. Jesus demonstrates this to us everyday.

Christ loves us unconditionally despite how we treat Him. While on earth, He cared for nothing but the people. He healed them, fed them, and even raised some from the dead. He took time to be with them, and taught them, and showed them how to live better. What did He get in return? They plotted to kill Him. They used every opportunity to trap Him in His teachings; and eventually they succeeded in putting Him to death.

Today the same things continue to happen. We no longer physically spit in His face, but the treatment we give Him is still just as wrong. Yet, Jesus is still doing things for us. He prays for us and takes time to listen to our prayers; He teaches us His Word, His preachers, and through the ministry of His Holy Spirit. He guides our lives, and sometimes even gives us the desires of our hearts. And what do we do? We ignore Him, and disobey Him; treating Him as if He doesn’t even exist.

My prayer is to use His example to be a better friend to others. It seems petty that after all Christ has forgiven in my life, that I can’t love and forgive someone else. I am so glad that Jesus is always a friend to me despite the way I treat Him, and I desire to be a friend to others despite the way they may have treated me.


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Ka"thy Lopez
Ka"thy Lopez
12 years ago

Beautifully said. You know the one thing that absolutely amazes me about the Bible is how even with the most familiar verses and passages the Lord will often show me something a bit different each time I read it. I was reading something in Exodus the other day and was amazed that despite the 10 times that I have read through the Bible I never saw that particular story before. Sometimes he impresses me with a thought and I guess I continue reading and thinking about what he just gave me and I don’t notice the rest of what I am reading. Do others feel like that or do I just have a little ADD? I am so thankful that he gives me something new each time. It keeps me coming back for more.

Ted Stahl
Ted Stahl
12 years ago

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Great post!

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