Greater love as no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (philos).  You are my friends if you do what I command you.  No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you….   John 15:13-15 New American Standard Bible

And Jesus said to him (Judas), “Friend (hetairos), (do) what you have come for.” Matthew 26:50 New American Standard Bible

…and Zabud, the son of Nathan, a priest, (was) the king’s Friend,… 1 Kings 4:5

          The kingship of Solomon over all Israel is widely regarded as a type of the reign of Messiah Jesus over all the earth.  It is fitting to note, then, that Solomon instituted a new office in his administration called the King’s Friend.  It was based upon the role of Hushai in frustrating the counsel of Ahithophel during the revolt of Solomon’s half-brother, Absalom in 2 Samuel 15.  For his service in aiding David, Hushai is called the King’s Friend in 1 Chronicles 27:33-34.

          The title was bestowed upon Zabud by King Solomon.  The name “Zabud” according to Strong’s Concordance (H2071) means “he has bestowed upon”; it is the diminutive of Zebediah or Z’badyahu–Yahweh bestows.  Thus we see that prophetically there will be those upon whom Yahweh Jesus will bestow the title of “Friend”.

          Indeed, hundreds of years later, Lord Jesus made several references to friend, as the fulfillment of Solomon’s type, including one to–of all people–Judas.  The passage above in John quotes Jesus’ words to all his disciples, including Judas.  It is clear that Jesus’ words are no less an appointment than was Zabud’s appointment, because the Lord even said, “I…appointed you…” John 15:16

          Although it is seldom if ever taught, the appointment as Friend of the king could hardly be more important.  It essentially describes a relationship to the Savior as a fully-matured son of God, who knows the mind of Father and is entrusted to carry out the will of Father and King/Son.

          As is so often the case, Lord Jesus is NOT setting out a condition or an if/then scenario.  He is NOT saying, “IF you do what I command you, THEN you are my friends.”  (Admittedly, when these verses are discussed, the emphasis is usually on obedience.)  Nevertheless, Jesus is once again merely stating a fact, notwithstanding His use of the word “if”.  Here is how the friends of Jesus are identified:  they do what he says.  Someone will protest: “But surely that means obedience!” Yes and no; yes, it includes obedience, but no, it is more than obedience.  Think of it this way:  to obey is better than sacrifice; but to agree is better than to obey.

          The emphasis thus misplaced on obedience basically ignores what Jesus said:  No longer do I call you slaves, because as everyone knows, slaves HAVE to obey.  But if friends HAVE to obey how are they different than slaves?  Here the Lord Jesus clarifies the difference:  slaves don’t know, and obey.  His friends DO KNOW, and obey.  The former obey out of obligation, which is reminiscent of Hagar and the old covenant; the latter obey out of AGREEMENT, which speaks of Sarah of promise and the new covenant.  Galatians 4

          The concept of “friend of Jesus” is not mentioned again in Scripture.  Paul referred to himself as a bond-slave, noting his choice under the law of redemption to remain a servant in the house of his Lord, but again, eschewing friendship for servanthood.  This humility reminds us of the prodigal, who said, “I am no longer worthy to be called a son.”

          Nevertheless, “friend of Jesus” is prophetic of an office to come, one that is referred to by various names, but specifically by John in Revelation as “overcomer.”  Upon some will be bestowed by Jesus the right to be called “Friends of King Jesus.”  It will be they who do as He commands, who hear His voice and the voice of Father, who know His mind–how He thinks–and who are given authority to carry out His will in restoring all things.  Their lives are characterized by sonship as described in Galatians 4:1-7.  We are sorry to say that not all Christians will be overcomers, for precisely the same reason Judas declined to be a friend of Jesus.

          Was Judas chosen, as well?  Yes.  (See, Judas Iscariot:  Revisited and Restored by Ivan Rogers.) When Jesus included Judas in the reference of “friends” (philos), was He using the term ironically or sarcastically?  No; instead, factually:  I chose you, Judas, and I appointed you; but you do not know, and you do not agree.  Therefore, Judas, you are a “comrade”, (hetairos), and not a “friend” (philos).  Although Judas heard God’s voice speaking in and through Lord Jesus, he hardened his heart just as his fathers did in the wilderness.  By kissing Jesus fondly when he offered Him up, he fulfilled the words of Isaiah representatively:  “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” It is important to note that “Judas” is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Judah.”

          After the death of King Solomon, the nation of Israel divided into two kingdoms, each with its own monarchy.  The northern 10 tribes kept the name “Israel” as authorized by the blessing of Jacob, that his name would live on in the sons of Joseph (Genesis 48:16).  That authorization for the use of the name “Israel” has never been revoked.  The southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained in Jerusalem and the countryside of Judah.  After Solomon it is important to note that there is an House of Israel, with its prophecies, and an House of Judah with its prophecies.

          It was still known as Judah (or Judea) when Messiah came, and it should be still known as Judah to this present day.  That Judah would claim the land of Israel for itself was prophesied by Ezekiel in Ezekiel 11:15.  Tribally-speaking, only Judah and Benjamin were allowed to remain in the land  at the time of Messiah’s advent.

          In Psalm 41:9, David wrote of Ahithophel, but prophesied of Judas, in verse 9:

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

          In this verse, the word “friend” is a combination of two Hebrew words, ish and shalom (Strong’s Concordance H376 + H7965).  The first word means “man” in a one-of-a-kind or unique sense.  The second word has several meanings, but here it means “greeting”.  Putting them together, we have “one-of-a-kind, or unique, man of greeting”.  So we see that the reference to Ahithophel was a prophecy regarding Judas who offered up Jesus by greeting Him with a kiss.

          Judas/Judah preferred a different kingdom than the one Jesus has inaugurated for God, in precisely the same way Ahithophel preferred the kingdom of Absalom to the kingdom of David.  (See, The Struggle for the Birthright, Chapter 6 by Dr. Stephen Jones, for an excellent teaching on this subject.)  Note:  Judas representatively fulfilled the second fulfillment/rejection by “seeing” Judah; the first had occurred earlier as recorded in Matthew 15:1-9.  The occasion of the third rejection is not clear to us; it is possibly either Acts 28:23-29 or Hebrews 6:1-8.  Judah as a whole rejected Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The rejection fulfilled Isaiah 29:13, which says:

Then Yahweh said, “Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their worship of Me consists of tradition taught by men.

          But Note also, the “because” and “therefore” connection between verse 13 and verse 14.  Lord Jesus never, never writes off anyone:

Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous.”

          Judas/Judah will not be an overcomer, but he and they will be restored.  The Good Shepherd will not rest until He finds and retrieves every single one of His lost sheep. Luke 15:4-7   Even Judas must be restored, or else “all things” won’t be restored as prophesied in Acts 3:21 and other places.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, because You have raised up Friends of King Jesus.

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