By Tim Hodge, CCCNZ South Island Enabler
In Matthew 26, Jesus prophesies that by the end of the night, each one of his disciples will have left him. He pointedly tells Peter in verse 34, “This very night, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times.”
Later, in the garden of Gethsemane, the disciples fall asleep instead of praying, as Jesus had asked. In verse 46, Jesus says, “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Jesus knows his betrayer. He knows his disciples will desert him. He knows Judas will betray him with a kiss. He knows Peter will deny him.
It’s verse 50 that stopped me in my tracks.
Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”
Na ka mea a Ihu ki a ia, E hoa, meinga tau i haere mai ai ki te mahi.
Friend. E hoa.
It’s the single word that I’ve been meditating on for the last few days.
Addressing Judas, the first word out of Jesus’ mouth is ‘friend’.
Some have suggested Jesus says ‘friend’ sarcastically. I’m not convinced, given the context and the compassion of Jesus in healing the guard’s ear in the following verses. Instead, the tone of Jesus here is warm and relational.
We know from Acts 1 that Judas was not a true friend to Jesus. The other disciples identify him as an enemy of Jesus, foreshadowed in Psalm 69. What strikes me is that even though Jesus knew Judas’ true character and the depth of his betrayal, he spoke to Judas kindly. On full display here is Jesus’ forbearance and patience.
Although you and I are not like Judas—we are no longer enemies of Christ—the reality is, we once were.
Jesus called his own betrayer, friend.
The same Jesus calls me, someone who was once as lost as Judas, friend.
The same Jesus calls those who ignored and rejected him, friend.
Jesus calls sinners like you and me, friend.
In the words of Irish-Canadian 19th century poet Joseph Scriven (sung to me by ‘The Sing Team’ as I write, go on, have a listen!):
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Yes, we can find a friend so faithful. His name is Jesus, and he calls us his friend.
