i have a question about a single word in the scripture, that i think brings up a lot of other interesting questions that touch on things that are discussed here quite a lot.
i don't know the answer to the question - hopefully that's a relief, as this isn't just a thread where i tell you how it is and expect a lot of "yes post we agree" responses. i expect some of us aren't going to make much of it but i also expect some of us have never really given it deep thought, and i hope we all learn something exploring the implications, either way.
so at Gethsemane, Judas led men from the chief priest & elders of the people to capture Jesus.
some translations give "why have you come?" instead - i'm not clear which is correct or why there are two renderings - but in either case, what i want to know is why did Jesus call him "friend" ?
there are two other references that must be important here - the obvious one:
and also this, that may not be as obvious in it's bearing on the question:
and here is also some wisdom to help us think about this:
i know that Christ spoke the truth when he said this to Judas, and that no scripture is contradicted by what He said to him.
i'm grateful for your thoughts about this.
like i said, i don't know the answer - so i'm not going to argue; i'd just like to hear what you think & what i can learn from this.
i don't know the answer to the question - hopefully that's a relief, as this isn't just a thread where i tell you how it is and expect a lot of "yes post we agree" responses. i expect some of us aren't going to make much of it but i also expect some of us have never really given it deep thought, and i hope we all learn something exploring the implications, either way.
so at Gethsemane, Judas led men from the chief priest & elders of the people to capture Jesus.
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
(Matthew 26:49-50)
Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
(Matthew 26:49-50)
some translations give "why have you come?" instead - i'm not clear which is correct or why there are two renderings - but in either case, what i want to know is why did Jesus call him "friend" ?
there are two other references that must be important here - the obvious one:
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command.
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.
Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
(John 15:13-15)
You are my friends if you do what I command.
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.
Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
(John 15:13-15)
and also this, that may not be as obvious in it's bearing on the question:
As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.
(John 13:27-28)
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.
(John 13:27-28)
and here is also some wisdom to help us think about this:
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
(Proverbs 27:6)
but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
(Proverbs 27:6)
A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
(Proverbs 17:17)
and a brother is born for adversity.
(Proverbs 17:17)
Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
(Proverbs 17:9)
but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
(Proverbs 17:9)
i know that Christ spoke the truth when he said this to Judas, and that no scripture is contradicted by what He said to him.
i'm grateful for your thoughts about this.
like i said, i don't know the answer - so i'm not going to argue; i'd just like to hear what you think & what i can learn from this.