Without a word Jesus brought two enemies together.

Saturday  1-23-16 (Home in Modesto, California)     

Scripture reading for today:    Exodus 6 - 8    Luke 23

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S. Luke 23:11-12 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.  That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.  NKJV

Vs 11-12  So King Herod gathered his tough gang around Jesus to make fun of Him.  They found a beautiful kingly robe and put it on Him and these “experts in torture” enjoyed practicing on Jesus trying to get him to respond.  So when Herod and his cohorts couldn’t get a squeak out of Jesus, he sent Him back to Governor Pilate.  And suddenly now this act of sharing mockery of “King Jesus” back and forth brought these two enemies together and they became buddies.  NUHV

O.  It is strange how two arch-enemies, when faced with a common enemy, can make peace between themselves.  They say that when a couple is considering divorce, the quickest way to get them together is for a son or daughter to face a serious health issue.  Suddenly they have a common enemy. 

A.  What will join together in cooperation a conservative and a liberal, a capitalist and a socialist, an atheist and a evangelical Christian?  Just let a common enemy threaten to attack their children, their home or neighborhood.  An earthquake brings people who don’t even know the names of their neighbors to huddle together in the middle of the street. When living in greater Buenos Aires, Frances and I found our near neighbors to be delightful Argentine people... without needing the help of a common enemy. 

P.  Lord, help me not to wait for an earthquake to make friends with neighbors and acquaintances.  I praise You that my friends... one beautiful family of five is now faithful in a good church, serving the Lord.  Their hearts were not happy under the rigid hand of the Jehovah Witnesses.  I pray that You will help me make friends with those of different cultures and convictions... without having to have a common enemy.  You said, “Blessed are the peacemakers...” Let me enjoy that blessed title without compromising Your truth.  Amen.

Ralph