Luke 23:12
That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.
It’s just a small detail in the larger story, I know. But I think it’s important.
Apparently Herod and Pilate had been enemies. Not hard to imagine, frankly. Two political leaders, both vying for power. One connected with the Temple, the other with Rome. They don’t get along. They probably can’t stand each other. Power and control are zero-sum games, so all the other players are your opponents, even enemies. That’s the way of the world.
Yet on this day they become friends. Their enmity is buried. Why? How? We don’t know for sure. We don’t know if it lasted. We don’t know what, if anything, came of this friendship. We just know they became friends after their association with Jesus.
Which is, I think, Luke’s point. Jesus, especially in Luke’s story, is a healer. He demonstrates compassion and healing wherever he goes. From the opening scene when he declares the Lord’s favor to his immediate healing of the servant who’s ear was cut off in Jesus’ arrest, he has spread compassion, healing and forgiveness throughout his ministry.
And so Herod and Pilate, formerly enemies, are reconciled. Their division is healed and a most unlikely friendship is formed. That’s the way of the new world, the kingdom of God.
Prayer: Dear God, let us bear witness in word and deed to your desire and ability to heal and restore, even in the most unlikely of circumstances. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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