Skyscraper Ministries/Lectures/2004 Baptisms/The Other Seventy Training Academy
Friends Keep Their Enemies Close
(ThemePassage:
Matthew 5:43)
by
Bro. Jason Heard
Something to think about.....
What would you do if every time you fell in love with someone.....
You had to say goodbye?
What would you do if every time you wanted someone.....
They would never be there?
What would you do if for every moment you were truly happy…..
There would be 10
moments of sadness?
What would you do if your best friend died tomorrow…and you never got to tell them…..
How you felt?
What would you do if you loved someone more than anything else, and you…..
Could never have them?
Throughout our lives, we will have acquired many friends. Some close friends and some we may call acquaintances. A Friend is defined by the Webster Dictionary as: one attached to another by affection or esteem, one who is not hostile, one who supports or favors something. We are attracted to building friendships by finding commonality in another individual that reciprocates a loving bond, support and affection. In building friendships, we become susceptible to mistrust, lies, gossip, hate, envy and things that may emotionally harm the relationship. When we are faced with a situation when friends betray us, what do we do? How do we as Christians handle the situation?
A Friends Betrayal
(Jesus and Judas the Iscariot)
One of the most telling stories that encompass friendship then betrayal is the story of Jesus Christ and Judas the Iscariot. Jesus selectively picked His disciples based on a reciprocal love and a bond built up through His character, charisma, influence and teachings. Through His choices, He began sharing intimate details about His person and there future together.
Matthew 10:1
1And when he had called unto Him his twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.[1]
Through study of the gospels, we find that these twelve disciples loved Christ more than a leader but as dear friend/brother and forsook their physical jobs and responsibilities to follow Him (Mathew 4:18-22). Christ also loved them more than friends but as brothers (Mathew 12:48-49, Mathew 13:55, Mark 6:3) and “gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease”. Often times when we select our close friends, we begin loving them as relatives referring to them as cousins, brothers, or sisters. We in turn give a “shared power” by mimicking ones character, beliefs, spiritual bond, and speech. This is how friends identify with one another and build a bond that grows as one.
Through further study of the relationship Judas had with Christ and the other disciples, he was selected to be the treasurer of the disciples. This is a position that entails great trust and responsibility because it is the center of financial transactions.
John 12:3-6
3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. 4Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein[2]
John 13:29-30
29For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30He then having received the sop went immediately out. And it was night.[3]
While studying these two scriptures in detail, we see that Judas had the responsibility for overseeing the financial responsibilities of the disciples (John 13:6 and had the bag, and bare what was put therein and John 13:29 because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor). Notice Judas’s disposition with Christ now that he has a responsibility within the relationship (John 12:4-6 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein). It becomes more evident in John 13:21-27.
John 13:21-27
21When Jesus had thus said, He was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom He spake. 23Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom He spake. 25He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto Him, Lord, who is it? 26Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when He had dipped the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. [4]
As we can see, Jesus took the time to know His
friends/disciples. He understood their
character to the point of identifying who would turn against Him and betray
Him. Simon Peter in this passage leaned
on Jesus asking who would do such a thing to Jesus their Master, Teacher, and
Friend. Peter asks Jesus who it may be,
as a true friend concerned about His well-being and out of true love for Him. But, Jesus loved Peter to the point that He
answered by identifying the betrayer by saying, “He it
is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.”
The passage then states that when He had dipped the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him.
What causes Betrayal?
In understanding what causes betrayal, we can reflect on the scriptures from Proverbs.
(Proverbs 11:13) NIV
13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
(A gossip tells everything, but a true friend will keep a secret.)
(Proverbs
17:9) NIV
9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
(You will keep your friends if you forgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong.)
(Proverbs 22:24-25)
NIV
24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered,
25or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.
(Don’t make friends with anyone who has a bad temper, You might turn out like them
and get caught in a trap.)
(Proverbs 25:18)
NIV
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his
neighbor.
(Telling lies about friends is like attacking them with clubs and swords and sharp arrows.)
(Proverbs 25:19)
NIV
19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.
(A friend you can’t trust in times of trouble is like having a toothache or a sore foot.
These Proverb
scriptures detail some of the reasons why a friendship may lose its bond or
intimacy. Proverbs 11:13
insinuates that gossiping will deteriorate a relationship, but a true friend
will keep a secret. We have all been
under the persecution of a gossip in which a close friend or relative has
exposed something dear to us. This will
cause dissention, anger and hurt to know that someone trusted will expose our
most detailed feelings resulting in an unhealthy relationship.
Proverbs 17:9 details that the lack of forgiveness will deteriorate a
relationship. As friends, we must be
able to forgive and not resurface wrongs that have been committed. Forgiveness is our spiritual healing of
wrongs committed against us. If we
cannot exercise forgiveness in our spiritual walk, it is compared to irritating
an open wound that is never allowed to heal.
Proverbs 22:24-25 indicates that being friends with someone with a bad temper will ensnare
you in a trap. A bad tempered friend
will constantly strain your relationship with not only your friend but with
GOD. A bad tempered friend will incite
quarrels, will misconstrue constructive criticism, evolve you in
confrontations, and may bring you to wrath or become angry jeopardizing your
relationship with GOD. These friends
will cause you to fall into a snare that will make you accountable for
unnecessary sins that could be prevented.
Proverbs 25:18 indicates that lies against your friends are like clubs, swords, and
arrows. Lies pierce ones soul because they
attack the reputation and ones very being.
It is compared to clubs, swords, and arrows because one lie can bring
down the very spirit of the one it is committed against resulting in torment
and pain of a sharp object or harsh blow.
Proverbs 25:19 identifies a friend you cannot trust is like a toothache or a sore
foot. Trust is the bond that all
relationships are hinged upon. When the
bond of trust is broken, it can manifest into a nagging pain that will become
difficult to overcome.
We can infer that Judas’ character or disposition
encompassed these attributes before the betrayal and arrest of Christ. Judas’ willingness to assist the chief
priests in apprehending Christ is a sign that he had gossiped, had a bad
temper, may have told some lies and severed the trust that he had for Jesus
Christ. (Mark 14.10-11; Matthew 26.17-25; John 13.21-30):
Mark 14:10-11 NKJ
10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. 11And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So, he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.
Let’s examine verse 11. “And when they heard it, they were glad.” Although the chief priests had seen Christ’s majesty, an in depth conversation between Judas and the priest is implied. How would the chief priest believe Judas without questioning him? Look closer at the last statement, “So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.” A scheme or plan was devised to identify Christ by Judas and the chief priest. This took dialog between them in order to concoct such a scheme. For Judas to gain their trust, he would have had to tell them some things about Christ so that the priests could gain his trust.
We can also see in John 12:3-6 that lying and mistrust was his true character.
John 12:3-6
3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein[5]
Notice verse 6. “This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” It states that he did not care for the poor and he was a thief. This character flaw did not evolve overnight this attitude was with him for some time. We can witness the fulfillment of his character in Matthew 26: 47-50.
Matthew 26:47-50
47And while He yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48Now he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He: hold him fast. 49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed Him. 50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took Him.[6]
In Matthew 26:47-50, Judas saw the prime opportunity to follow through on his plans to betray Christ. He led the multitude to Christ confronting Him as a friend and brother signaling the great multitude armed with sword and staves that He was the Christ. Christ knew of his actions and answered, “Friend, wherefore art thou come?” Christ knew of the set up and betrayal of the one whom He selected to be a friend.
We must understand that when our friends are out to betray us, they must convince others that what is being said is true although it may be far from the truth. This means using every method of gossip, lies, and mistrust from a result of a bad temper or disposition to disguise their deeds. Friends that betray, just as Judas had done to Christ have these attributes within their character and they manifest these attributes or feelings for some time.
How do we as
Christians confront or love our Enemies?
As Christians, we must obey the commands of Christ our Lord, Teacher and Friend. (John 13:34-35) 34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another. In order to follow Christ, we must adhere to His word. John 13:34-35 indicates that we must love one another as Christ loved us. This means family, friends, acquaintances, and even our enemies!
Mathew 5: 43-48
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Christ states, “43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.” We have heard these words spoken from a worldly view to hate thy enemy. By hating our enemy, we engage into revenge and payback. We have worldly songs that promote getting even with your enemies and even causing physical harm to your enemies. The revenge factor is promoted to the level of even killing our enemies or doing whatever is necessary to get even. If we proclaim to be Christians, we cannot fall into the trap of jeopardizing our soul. It is clearly stated by Christ, “44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” Notice, Christ goes on to state, “45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?” Christ was not of the world but of the spirit. He separated Himself from the world by loving His enemies until His death on the cross. This is supported by the question He asks within the scripture, “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?” Christ insinuates that it is easy to love someone who loves you. Those of a worldly view can love and will love someone who loves them but the understanding of the love of Christ is when one can love not only those who love you but those who hate you. Loving your enemy is what separates us from the world and allows us to draw nearer to Christ because He commanded us to love. We can witness His command and expression of love also in (Luke 6:27-36).
Luke 6:27-36
27But I say unto you
which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28Bless
them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29And unto
him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him
that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give
to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them
not again. 31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them
likewise. 32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33And if
ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34And if
ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive
as much again. 35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for
nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of
the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36Be ye
therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Scriptural Examples
of Love for Your Enemies
(Exodus 32:31)
(Proverbs 24:17-20)
(Romans 5:6)
(Romans 15:3)
Conclusion
As found in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “13Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” We, as children of Christ, must understand that there will always be a Judas. We cannot be dismayed when we find out that our friend or friends have betrayed us. We are a peculiar people and if a friend can turn on Christ then it will definitely happen to us. The relationship between Christ and Judas is an example that we can measure our relationship(s) too. We see that Christ befriended Judas and provided him with every opportunity to build a loving and trusting relationship (Mathew 12:48-49, Mathew 13:55, Mark 6:3). In addition, it’s obvious that Christ continued to treat him (Judas) like a dear friend although He knew of his actions, the stealing from the bag, the lack of concern for the poor (John 12:6), and ultimately Satan entering in his heart leading him to betray Christ (John 13:27). Not once did Christ raise a hand against Judas (Matthew 26:49-50) or intercede to stop his plans of betrayal. We as Christians must follow the examples of Christ to become Christ like. In times of betrayal, we need not to react in ways that will cost us our soul but pray to our Father that looks after us (Psalm 35:1-28). He will fight our battles and bring judgment on those who harm His children. He is our strength and comforter, and will always be with us.
Some people live and some people die,
But I want to tell you I love you
And you are a true friend….
That I will always be here for you,
When and if you need me….
If I died tomorrow,
You would be in my heart forever!
Would I be in yours?