"And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together; for before they were at enmity between themselves" (Luke 23:12).

One of the characteristics of men in their natural state is "living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another" (Titus 3:3). What can be expected from the carnal mind which is "enmity against God" but enmity against its fellow also? The violence and the hatred and strife we see in the world are but results of that departure from Him who alone is love. After conversion the sweet and precious fruits of the Spirit are seen; and among the first is love, and all its accompanying manifestations of forgiveness of and reconciliation with our fellows. How can the one who has been forgiven much fail to forgive the little offenses against himself? It would argue that one did not realize it for himself if he failed in its exercise toward others.

Here however, as in many other ways, Satan has a counterfeit of the real, in which a good deal of the outward appearance is preserved but all that gives character and value is missing. This is so in a marked degree with the case before us. Pilate and Herod had been at enmity; they became reconciled. What motivated them to this reconciliation? Sad is the answer:their rejection of Christ. These two, having been specially called upon to decide for or against Him, took their place with His enemies. This gives the occasion for their reconciliation. What a spectacle! The Son of God mocked, scourged, and delivered up for crucifixion; and the men who were responsible for it as it were shaking hands over it! After all, is not this what we see in the world at the present time? Are not the very things which link men with one another often the things which separate them from Christ?

But it is not for the world we are writing. Is there not a lesson for Christians to learn? Are we so absorbed in worldly matters such as business affairs that they have become our object rather than communion with the Lord? If so, this is friendship with the world, and is, in effect, enmity with God. A friendship of this kind is, in measure, of the character of that between Pilate and Herod. Much sociability between saved and unsaved comes dangerously near this. Would those who are now so pleased to have our company like it if we openly proclaimed our loyalty to Him whom they have rejected?

Even between saints there is need to beware of the character of the friendship between Pilate and Herod. That prejudice which separates from some of our brethren and attracts to others is like it. Differences and coolness toward some and drawing closer to others of like mind with us is like it. It is thus that parties and cliques spring up among God’s people.

Another danger point, though not exactly of like character, is the being held together only by rejection of evil. The Lord never intended us to be occupied with evil, never would have us drawn together only by what we refuse and deny. Positive truth is what should attract and hold together_truth which sets the Lord Himself before us. Love to Him and worship of Him are the bonds which the Spirit uses to unite and hold us together. The more we know of Christ in the heart and the more His truth fills us, so much the closer will we be together. This is a friendship which has neither honey nor leaven (Lev. 2:11) to corrupt it, and so abides.

(From Help and Food, Vol. 9.)