On the morning of His death, three competing factions found unity in their hatred of Jesus.
First, the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of Israel comprised of High Priests, lesser priests, Levites, and some ordinary Israelites. They had lost continuous conscious contact with the Almighty who their greatest King David had known well, and they had instituted in its place religion. They were what I once heard called "religiousy" people. Religion prefers its own thoughts to Truth. They also hated the conquering Romans -- until they needed the Truth destroyed and lacked both the power and authority to accomplish it by themselves. Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. (Luke 23:1 NKJV)
Pilate initially sent Jesus to Herod Antipas - a tyrannical fiend from a long line of Herodian fiends. He had once amused himself by beheading John the Baptist. He also wanted to be amused by Jesus' power. When Jesus refused to even speak in the presence of such evil, Herod, unamused, had the Lord mocked and beaten, then sent him back to Pilate. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. (Luke 23:8 NKJV)
Pontius Pilate, the prefect of Judea, desperately tried to deflect responsibility for dealing with Jesus. When he learned Jesus was a Galilean, he sent him to Herod (who sent him back). Pilate eventually ordered Jesus crucified at the insistence of the Chief Priests, but denied responsibility for His death. Can you imagine a ruler with absolute power pointing his finger at a bunch of unarmed priests and yelling, "They made me do it!" And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod.... (Luke 23:7 NKJV)
While Pilate who ruled over Judea and Herod who ruled over Galilee and Perea both served at the pleasure of Rome, they were competing enemies - and both of them hated the Jews and the Jews likewise hated them - until that day when they found a common enemy in Christ. The old saying goes -- The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Here's what the bible says -- That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other. (Luke 23:12 NKJV)
Today we find similar forces aligning against Christ. Often these forces are in political or social enmity but become friends for the cause of opposing Jesus. Entire Christian denominations have diminished views of both the written Word and the Living Word and they hate we who have high views of both. They mock us and try every means to have us and our faith destroyed. Some seek to diminish Christ but like Pilate look for someone else to take the rap for their actions. Some take the Herodian approach and seek an association with Jesus only for the good it will do them or for their amusement. Are you being influenced by these destructive forces? Are you unwittingly supporting their effort?
How do you react when you hear of see your best friend attacked? Do you stand idly by or do you defend them? If someone is gossiping about your best friend do you intervene? If someone is spreading damaging lies about your best friend wouldn't you immediately correct them?
My friend Pastor Dave Farmer of David Farmer Ministries recently wrote this -- When the church stops using the method and the message of biblical Christianity; they turn to the methods of the world. They substitute the power of the gospel for performance and programs. The result is professing believers who will not witness (for their friend Jesus).
The question pleading with my heart today is - what kind of friend am I to Jesus?
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