Dying for His Friends vs. Dying for His Enemies
It is easy to assume that the mission of Jesus Christ was a singular, uniform message delivered to all people simultaneously. However, a deeper examination of the Bible—specifically comparing the four Gospels with the Pauline Epistles—reveals a profound dispensational distinction. This post explores the "manifold wisdom of God" in how Christ identified with Israel as their Friend, while simultaneously paving a "hidden" way to reconcile the Gentiles, who were His Enemies.
The Ministry to the Circumcision: Dying for His "Friends"
During His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ was "a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God" (Romans 15:8). He came to His own nation, Israel, and His language toward them was that of a devoted companion. In the Upper Room, Jesus defined the nature of His impending sacrifice through the lens of friendship.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." — John 15:13-14 (KJB)
This was not a generic statement to all of humanity; it was a specific identification with the "house of Judah." Even in prophecy, this relationship is maintained. When Christ returns to the Mount of Olives, as alluded to in Zechariah 13:6 (often associated with the context of Ezekiel's imagery of the Lord's return), He is asked about the scars in His hands.
"And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." — Zechariah 13:6 (KJB)
In the Gospels, the sacrifice is presented as a Shepherd dying for His sheep and a Friend dying for His own. It was a mission focused on the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
The Mystery Revealed: Dying for His "Enemies"
While the Gospels focus on the King dying for His friends, the Apostle Paul reveals a "mystery" that was kept secret since the world began, Romans 16:25-26 (KJB). This revelation concerns the Gentiles—those who were "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel" and "strangers from the covenants of promise." Ephesians 2:12 (KJB)
Christ did not die for the Gentiles because they were His friends. In fact, according to the Dispensation of Grace, the Gentiles were in a state of active hostility toward God.
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." — Romans 5:10 (KJB)
While Jesus was physically on earth, He was reaching out to Israel to offer them the Kingdom. Yet, God in His infinite wisdom was holding back a specific revelation: that His death would also justify the "ungodly" and the "sinner" who had no covenant claim to His friendship.
The Contrast: Righteousness vs. Grace
To understand the beauty of the Gospel of Grace, one must see the contrast between these two ministries. In the Gospel accounts of Matthew through John, the relationship is defined by Christ dying for His friends (Israel) under the condition that they "do whatsoever" He commanded them; this was the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the House of Judah. Conversely, in the Pauline Epistles of Romans through Philemon, the relationship shifts to Christ dying for His enemies (Gentiles) "while we were yet sinners." This ministry is not based on the fulfillment of prophecy, but on the revelation of the Mystery, identifying believers as the Body of Christ rather than a national kingdom.
The Apostle Paul emphasizes this distinction in Romans 5:6-8, noting that while one might eventually dare to die for a "good man," God’s love is uniquely magnified because Christ died for those who were without strength and ungodly.
Summary for the Believer
The inspiration of this lesson lies in the realization that today, in this dispensation of grace, our inclusion in the family of God was not based on a prior friendship or a shared covenant. We were enemies of the Cross, yet through the revelation given to Paul, we see that Christ took our hostility upon Himself. He died for His friends to fulfill the promise to Israel, but He died for His enemies to manifest the "exceeding riches of His grace." He took care of it all—justifying the believer freely, not by our works or even our own strength of faith, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, this post underscores the absolute necessity to rightly divide the word of truth. If one does not observe these distinctions, these apparent contradictions cause significant confusion and skew biblical doctrine when people attempt to consolidate two different programs. Only right division makes sense of these scriptures by recognizing the two distinct ministries of Christ and the separate programs of God for Israel and the Body of Christ.
