I find it intriguing that two enemies, who sent Jesus to His crucifixion, became friends in the process:
Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him (Jesus) with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other. (Luke 23:11-12 NKJV)
I guess the reason I find it intriguing is because of what Jesus had warned of:
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’” (Matthew 10:34-36 NKJV)
But let’s look at who Jesus really was:
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NLT)
Now let’s dissect what makes it so intriguing:
Among the names of Jesus Christ is that of Prince of Peace. Such verses as Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:14, and John 14:27 make it clear that Jesus came to bring peace, but that peace is between man and God. Those who reject God and the only way of salvation through Jesus Christ (John 14:6) will find themselves perpetually at war with God. But those who come to Him in repentance will find themselves at peace with God. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are restored to a relationship of peace with God (Romans 5:1).
Why then, did Jesus say, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” What kind of sword did Jesus come to bring?
In Matthew 10:34–36, Jesus said He had come at this time not to bring peace to the earth, but a sword, a weapon which divides and severs. As a result of His visit to the earth, some children would be set against parents and a man’s enemies might be those within his own household. This is because many who choose to follow Christ are hated by their family members.
You can say the irony of the situation, at the start of this article, is that Herod and Pilot may have become earthly friends, but they further set themselves at enmity with God.
In the light of eternity, it doesn’t matter how many earthly friends you have. Rather, it all comes down to this: you are either a friend of God or an enemy of God. There is no middle ground. It is unlike earthly relationships that can ping-pong all over the place. How else would a marriage that starts in blissful love, end in bitter divorce?
So, my final question at the end of this short article is this: “Do you walk in the peace that only true friendship with Jesus can give between you and God?”
Annointing 