When Jesus calls you FRIEND

The name Judas has become synonymous with betrayal. If someone turns against you very often even outside of church circles he is called a Judas. All pointing back to a fateful night in a garden called Gethsemane when the Son of God was betrayed by a man with the very ordinary name of Judas.

It was interesting to note that Judas was the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name "Yehudah" - Judah. So in microcosm we have Judas betraying Jesus as by enlarge the Jews who took their name from Judah the son of Jacob were rejecting Jesus.

But it is amazing to me how Jesus addresses His betrayer.

"Jesus replied, "Do what you came for, friend."" - Matt 26 v 50

Jesus calls him FRIEND.

He could have used the word hetaíros - Supposed Friend.

But he says etaire - colleague, clansman, comrade & friend.

And that is what he still does every day. Call His enemies His friends.

"...our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies..." - Romans 5 v 10