11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
Luke 23:11-12 (ESV)
Jesus makes friends out of enemies
I had never caught this part of the gospel of Luke until today. In all honesty, I was always encouraged to read John, because it was so spiritual, or Matthew, because it was the first one, or Mark, because it was the original one. I hardly ever paid attention to Luke. Luke is an amazing book and is fill with rich information not found in other gospels, like this verse.
These two verses are an amazing passage of scripture to me. It shows how Christ is the great uniter, the great peacemaker. It reminded me of what Paul would write years later:
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. (Ephesians 2:13-16 ESV)
Both Herod and Pilate were at odds with each other at the time. Most Jews hated Rome and saw them as great the great oppressor they thought the Messiah would come and save them from. Pilate dislike Galilee severely, because it was the site of many uprisings and revolutionary “Messiahs” who tried to lead rebellions only to be crushed by his hand. Herod hate Pilate because he was the image of Rome upon him, the man who kept him in check.
Though Herod abused and Pilate flogged Jesus, they both proclaimed his innocence.
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.
Luke 23:13-16 (ESV)
These two enemies, by their profession of Jesus’ innocence, became friends. That is truly amazing. Roman and Jew were bitter enemies, yet Christ our king made them friends. Just as we were enemies to God, Christ’s innocent suffering made us not just friends, but heirs, children of God. When we proclaim Christ’s innocence and sacrifice, we are united with all the brothers and sisters around the world who do the same.
Jesus unites us with God
Jesus unites us with our friends
Jesus unites us with our family
Jesus unites us with our enemies
If we trust in his sacrifice and innocence.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28 ESV)
In my own life, Christ has made me friends with my enemies, rebuilt lost friendships due to sin and death, and has tightened my own relationship with my family.
How has Christ united you to others?
tiredoframen 