Fear?

That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.                                                                                          Luke 23.12

It is quite interesting how enemies, sometimes the bitterest of enemies, become friends when they unite against a common opponent. Pilate and Herod did this after their first individual encounters with Jesus.

What is it about this God-man that causes enemies to become friends? Were these earlier foes joined by some shared fear that Jesus caused in them?

Herod wasn’t the most popular leader of the Jews, but he was in control, and perhaps he feared losing that control to this man who was being called “King of the Jews”. Pilate was the emperor’s representative. As such, he could claim absolute power in the area under his jurisdiction. But he might have been fearful that this popular teacher would upset the balance of his power and cause him to fall into disfavor with the central authority.

For whatever reason, I sense that it was fear that drew Pilate and Herod together in unlikely friendship.

And fear of Jesus has caused all manner of human behavior changes through the centuries. Some changes, as with Herod and Pilate, result in unhealthy attitudes towards Jesus but, praise God, many have been changes of acceptance and moves to a new, healthier life in Him.

Herod and Pilate became friends with each other following their encounters with Jesus. I am eternally grateful that my encounter with Jesus resulted in my friendship with Him. And this friendship is further consolidated by each day that I spend with Him.

Lord Jesus,

I am thankful that there is no fear attaching to my relationship with You. I thank You for the joy, strength, peace and blessing that You give me.           Amen.