Matthew 26:50
And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
As I think on this scripture this morning it makes me humble. So many times I have looked at Judas as a horrible Benedict Arnold. He betrayed Jesus! Not only did he betray Jesus, but he did it with a kiss. He actually kissed the face of God with evil in his heart. We know what happened with Judas also. He hanged himself.
But what makes me humble and broken about this message is the fact of how Jesus greeted him. Jesus knew why Judas had come! He knew who it was that would betray him. He told them in great detail at the supper so that Judas was revealed. Jesus knew when he was walking toward him with his lips drawn together and before they touched his face why Judas was there. But look at what He said to him..."Friend, wherefore art thou come?" Oh, the message in this today!
Jesus knowing who Judas was, greeted him with the term friend. How can this be? God hates sin! But God LOVES the sinner much more! Even though Judas never repented of his sins and took his own life, because scripture says he repented of himself and not to God, that doesn't mean he didn't have an opportunity. He had a friend, His name is Jesus.
Through all my failures and sin, Jesus has remained my friend. Although I've not been the greatest friend to Him, He's always been my best friend. No matter what you've done, you can have a friendship with Jesus. Is He your best friend?
