A two-faced word describing a two-faced concept. “Friends” and “enemies” in relationship with one another, where neither one knows who he or she will meet on any given day, or moment.
It can even be more complicated when the “frenemies” are family, or…”famemies.”
The Bible is full of them: Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Moses and Rameses, Moses and Aaron, Peter and Andrew, James and John.
But, it seems to me, that the best of “frenemies” are found when they both share in a common “enemy”—real or imagined.
Case in point: Two political hacks from Luke, Chapter 23, are posturing while their accused conspirator is being illegally bounced around from one kangaroo court to another. Thirty years after the fact, Dr. Luke inserts a line in verse 12 of his “orderly account,” that explains the origin of the unlikely bromance between the “Mutt and Jeff” of New Testament politics.
“That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been enemies.”
“That very day” was when their soldiers played dress-up with the prisoner, mocking and ridiculing him.
I grew up in a 1950s household—the youngest of three boys. It seemed not a day went by when there wasn’t all combinations of “two against one” among the brothers, right under the nose of noncommittal, parental consent. Now, as estranged adults, the “frenemies” soft-shoe of “two against one” has grown over the years—from playground prank to deeply-rooted rift, over generations, affecting equally-estranged aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
This is even more prevalent when the common enemy is… Jesus.
It seems to play out in families everywhere; the two “hold court” to “wrongfully convict” the one.
Peace-loving Jesus was not kidding when He said that He also was bringing a sword—setting on edge all sorts of family relationships.
Families would truly “go nuclear” over this one, in hometowns where prophets are no longer welcome.
This gives a whole new scope and probability to the promise, “Where two or more are gathered, I am there!” Whether “upper room” or “back alley.”
Just ask Pilate and Herod. Or, better yet—three days later—just ask the two Mary’s.
Now, no matter how much the population explodes, they will always be outnumbered by… One.
And, those who follow Him? Well, we’re called
“Anomalies”
"If God is for us, who can be against us?” -Romans 8:31
Brad lives with the wife of his youth for 40 years, Cindy, on three acres in Franktown, Colorado, surrounded by dogs, cats, ducks, goats, and chickens. With their entire family close by - including four grandchildren - you never know when the family will drop by and add to the fun. He is the author of “The Four ‘Seasons’ of Our Father’s Evangelical Church” series.