Friend

 "And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.   Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.   And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.   And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him."     Matthew 26:47-50

A couple things came to mind when I read this passage. 

1. Judas has one goal in mind: to betray the Lord Jesus. After he gives Jesus the kiss of betrayal, Jesus looks and Judas and calls him friend. I can imagine the guilt that had to have washed over Judas as he heard that word straight from the Savior he had just betrayed!

2. How good our God is! To know that Judas had just given him the kiss of betrayal and still call him friend! He still loved Judas and wanted him to be saved!

This reminds me of Isaiah 9:17.

"Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

I think of the people that have turned from the Lord today. Our nation has gone far away from the Lord. But he is still willing to save anyone at anytime. He might be angry with the wicked, but his hand is stretched out still. There's still hope. There's still time. 

"If mu people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."      2 Chronicles 7:14

Are you willing to do what it takes to see God work in our country? Are you God's friend?

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