Luke 23:12

New King James Version

That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

For Meditation

Herod and Pilate were enemies, but they found a common enemy to bring them together. Into their courtroom came one day, a man, whom the Jews had falsely accused. They both recognized His innocence. However, they could not set Him free. Though they sat over the case and could have set Jesus free, they did not have the authority to do so.

The Supreme Court of heaven had decreed the sentence in eternity past. Jesus, the sinless man, should take the place of sinful humanity, bear their guilt, and die for their sin. Pilate and Herod assumed the earthly role as judges in His case—with no authority but that which God had granted to them from heaven. Only one thing stood out for them in the case – to find themselves reconciled to each other over a common enemy.

Finally, they left the matter to Pilate, the Governor, to pronounce the ruling, while totally unaware of its heavenly origin. He sentenced the innocent Jesus to death by crucifixion. They released Jesus to the Jews to oversee the sentence on Calvary.

That was the role Jesus came to the world to play.

He came to die in the sinner’s place and to reconcile them to God. Even in the earthly courtroom, two enemies reconciled over Jesus. How much more in the courtroom of heaven?

You may hate Him, but He is your only ticket to heaven. If only you would believe in Him as the perfect sacrifice for the atonement of your sins, you have set your feet on the path of reconciliation with God. Only go a step further and recognize Him as your substitute, appeal to His saving grace, and receive eternal life in Him. For in His death, two enemies—God and the sinner—were reconciled.

So, be reconciled to God today through Jesus (2 Cor. 5:20).