It was no new thing in the world’s history for kings even to be opposed. But, dear friend, what strikes one in the verse quoted, is the strangely solemn way in which “Pilate and Herod were made friends together.” What marks this day so specially? It is this! The Lord Jesus Christ, the blessed “Son of God” and “Son of man,” “the Saviour of the world,” has been taken, and bound, and led to the high priest as one deserving to die; so thought man. Thence He is led to Pilate the governor of Judea; Pilate, puzzled and perplexed by such a strange prisoner, sends Him to Herod; who, coming out in his true character, mocks Jesus and sets Him at naught.
Now mark the words: “the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends.” Let us weigh such a statement and see what is involved in it. The very day on which Jesus was delivered up to be crucified, these rulers were made friends. How startling, and yet plain the truth is. They shake hands at the expense of the Saviour, the Son of God. Little indeed did they know of what solemn import this action was—or of all that that same day would bring forth. Yes, my reader, they agreed to make up their differences, to be at peace with each other, at the very moment when man’s hatred was showing itself out against that spotless victim—when that cry was on his lips, “Away with him; away with him; crucify him.” What a moment for friendships to be made; when even the Jews and the Romans sink their enmity that it might all be spent against Christ.
Now, friend, what of you and me? Is it not still the fact, that men are agreed to keep Christ out; Lo give Him no place? This, too, at a time when the story of the cross is all told out and man left without excuse. Are not human friendships made and kept up while Jesus is still a stranger and an outcast? Does not that verse apply in principle. “The friendship of the world is enmity with God.” Surely it does; and I put it to you, reader, as to myself; how are we living and acting with such a Scripture before us? Are we courting the world; or keeping up some earthly friendship, while keeping Christ out all the time. Ah, friend, let us be in earnest; let us be real before God as to how we are treating Christ, His beloved Son.
How many are kept from deciding for Christ by the thought, What would such an one think? or by the ties of friendships formed in this world How often the laugh of a companion, or the fear of the world’s “cold shoulder,” are used by Satan to prevent souls saying— “Christ for me.” Is not all this, Pilate and Herod over again; and that, too, in a day when we have their sad example before us, and the good news of the Gospel all made known. Some friendship formed at Christ’s expense shall we say again? How solemn! And what must God’s judgment be on those who are guilty of such sin as this—the rejection of His Son? What numbers of people put off believing, because of some sin indulged in, some pleasure enjoyed, some prospect looked forward to! How frequently have such become solemn warnings to us by being called suddenly into eternity. Oh, my reader, that you might be decided for Christ now, that the facts of His love so unbounded; His death so powerful to atone for sin; His blood so precious to cleanse; His work so infinite to save; His person so altogether lovely, might bow you wholly in His adorable presence as we together exclaim,
“Go, worthless world, I cry, with all that’s thine,
Go, I my Saviour’s am, and He is mine.”