Friend

Friend, was the first word Jesus said to Judas as he kissed Jesus to betray Him.
“Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.” – Matthew 26:48-50.
Friend… What is a friend? One who sticks closer than a brother in the worst and in the ditches. One who is willing to jump into the lowest parts of the pit to get you out. One who won’t forsake for you anything. One who sees you for who you are and not for what you have. One who desires to know you and your interests. One who desires to walk life with you. One who has your back. One who will run after you when you run away from them. These all are things that describe who Jesus is to us. You see, Jesus loved Judas very much even calling him His friend right as Judas betrayed Him.
“But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. And truly, the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.” – Luke 22:21.
When the final supper commenced, Jesus was aware that Judas was going to betray. Yet, Jesus still sat with him at the table warning him to not do this and that there are consequences for these actions. Everything Jesus does and says has redemption in it. Therefore, if Jesus is bringing this matter to the light, then Jesus clearly wants Judas to change his heart. Jesus was a friend to Judas pointing out what needed to be resolved for the sake of their relationship. Though it wasn’t directly towards Judas because that would have brought a lot of shame exposing Judas among everyone else, Judas knew deep down that Jesus was referring to him. Jesus gave Judas this chance to redeem himself from this plot of betrayal. Friends always give second chances because they truly care about that relationship. Even though Judas was going to betray Jesus, Jesus wasn’t going to betray him. Remember, Jesus called Judas, “Friend” even at the moment of betrayal. For Jesus to love Judas with the knowledge of the betrayal and even call Judas His friend shows that Jesus truly did love Judas and did not desire this outcome for Judas.
“Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.” – Matthew 27:3-5.
Unfortunately for Judas, after seeing what had happened to Jesus as He was being put on trial and handed over, he was remorseful and so hopeless that he hung himself. This is not how Jesus wanted Judas to end. However, Judas still went through with his plan. However, through the story of Judas’s betrayal, we can see that Jesus is a true friend. How many of us would be willing to look at someone we have been good friends with even after they decided to betray us to our death, and still be able to call them friend in the moment of betrayal? Talk about a friend who would stick with you in your worst and to whatever the cost was.
“But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly.” – Luke 22:60-62.
Peter denied Jesus not once, not twice, but three times! Denial is a form of betrayal of a different aspect. Yet, after Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus looked at Peter. Imagine what that must have felt like for Peter looking at Jesus after Peter blatantly denied knowing Him three times. That broke Peter. Peter wept and cried bitterly. In fact, the Greek word used for “bitterly” has a much more impactful meaning. The Greek word is “pikros”. It means, “With poignant grief.” Poignant means “With deep emotion, touching, moving.” The word bitterly doesn’t do it justice to just the scale of grief Peter felt during that time. I’m sure that when Peter wept, it wasn’t a small cry but a cry that hurt. Thankfully, this moved Peter not to premature death but to repentance. Since Jesus is our friend even in the times when we rebel, insult, betray, or disobey, right in the moment of that, Jesus still calls us friend. However, imagine what this must have felt like for Jesus. Imagine looking face to face at someone you deeply care for and love right after they denied knowing you. In fact, Peter was one of the few disciples within that inner circle that Jesus had. One of the closest disciples to Jesus. When you deny knowing someone, you are basically saying that you don’t have a relationship with someone. Considering that a relationship with Jesus is the purpose of life and it is everything, that must have really hurt. Yet, Jesus didn’t turn His face away from Peter, but rather Jesus turned His face towards Peter. So overall, even in the worst moments of your life and even when you are aware that you are rebelling against God and continue, Jesus still looks at you and calls you, “Friend,” because of how much He deeply cares about you. He does not want the outcome that Judas had for your life. Have the outcome that Peter had so that Jesus may restore you and walk with you closer than ever before. For friendships that outlast betrayal and denial are the friendships that are real and will last. That is how Jesus is towards you, a true friend. Now, will you be a true friend to Jesus?