Friend

In Matthew 26:50, Jesus called Judas "friend."  That one has always gotten to me.  Right in the heat of betrayal, Jesus was still a true friend to Judas--although Judas was no friend to Jesus.  Your mind has to wonder, was Judas ever a friend to Jesus?  Some, I am sure, would argue the point that he must have been but at some pivotal juncture he switched sides.  But for me, I think that a follower, somewhat; an opportunist, likely; but ever a friend, probably not.

Switch gears.  I have a friend in Houston.  His name is John.  John and I met in a pre-teen Sunday school class in the early eighties.  John and I grew up and ultimately chose different paths.  I went into ministry, John into business.  I was a church guy, John--not so churchy (if you know what I mean).  But John and I are friends.  Although we have stood on different sides of life--we kept our friendship close.  Did we agree on everything--no way!  But we are friends!

I look then at others who have called me friend in the so called Christian ranks.  It came to me, just today, that I spent nearly 35 years of my life working and worshiping among people I thought were my friends.  But were they?  Whatever we were--we must not have been friends.  I understand that religion divides.  Judas discovered that for sure!  Perhaps this final word from Jesus is what haunted him so much in the end--Jesus called him friend even in personified betrayal by a man wrapped up in religious prejudice.  Impressing the religious establishment was enough to sell out his friend.

I encourage you to find your true friends although they may be small in number!  Not those people who are 'friends" as long as you see eye to eye on everything.  Not those "friends" who are only loyal when religious differences aren't revealed.  Not those "friends" who claim to be close in the fair weather days of life but have a disappearing tendency in a strom.  Nope--look around for the John's!  Those friends who will stick with you all the way past a cross!!

Jesus had a friend named John too--I take comfort in that.  Although I have been betrayed by a whole string of religious "friends", I talked to John yesterday...We're staying in his house again in June ( I carry a key to his house at all times)...he gives Raylene and me his master bedroom...and he is my friend!